Charlotte, N.C. – It was quite the homecoming for sophomore guard and Charlotte native, Tanajah Hayes, as she recorded a season high 17 points to lead the FIU Women's Basketball team to a 71-63 victory over the Charlotte 49ers (6-7, 2-2 C-USA) Thursday evening at Halton Arena.
 
With the win today, the Panthers are 7-5 overall, with a 2-1 conference record and have now won three games in a row. Today's win also snaps an 11-game losing streak against the 49ers. 
 
Hayes led the offensive charge for FIU's bench as their second unit accounted for 52 of the 71 points scored. The Panthers bench outscored Charlotte's reserves by 43 points (52-9).
 
FIU's defense played a huge role against the 49ers. They scored 19 points off 16 forced turnovers in the first half and in total forced 29 turnovers that led to 32 points for the Panthers.
 
It was a close game for the first three quarters as the biggest lead FIU had was six points at the half. Going into the fourth quarter, FIU trailed by two points but rallied behind sophomore guard Zaida Gonzalez who scored 10 of her 14 points in the final quarter.
 
The Panthers closed out and sealed the game with a 14-1 scoring run in the final 4:22. FIU only shot 26.1% from three-point range (6-23) but shot 50% (3-6) in the fourth quarter in part of that final scoring stretch.
 
Senior guard Kaliah Henderson logged another game off the bench in which she scored double digit points. She tied for the team lead with 17 points and chipped in three steals. Senior guard Olivia Trice was the only starter to reach double digits and finished with 10 points including two three pointers.
 
This marks back-to-back games where four Panthers recorded double digit points.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers wrap up their two-game road trip on Saturday, Jan. 7 to take on the University of Alabama at Birmingham at 1 p.m. in Bartow Arena The game will be streamed on ESPN+
 
TICKETS
For more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@fiuwbb), Twitter (@FIUWBB), and Facebook (@FIUWBasketball) for all the latest Women's Basketball news. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.  
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