MIAMI, Fla. – The FIU women's basketball team will wrap up their two-game road trip this Saturday (Jan.7) as they take on the University of Alabama at Birmingham at Bartow Arena slated for a 1 p.m. tip-off.
 
Saturday, Jan. 7 at UAB (9-4, 1-3 C-USA)

• Time / Site: 1 p.m. at Bartow Arena
• TV: ESPN+
• Live Stats
• Series History: UAB leads 12-3

The Blazers will host the Panthers after FIU won their previous game at Charlotte Thursday evening for their first C-USA road win of the season. The win against the 49ers also marked the first time the program won at Charlotte and snapped an 11-game losing streak in the head-to-head matchup.
 
The only win against Charlotte prior to Thursday's game was over 20 years ago in the first ever matchup between both teams. FIU hosted Charlotte on Dec. 16, 2002, and the Panthers came away with a 71-58 victory.
 
 The Panthers are riding a three-game win streak and have improved their conference record to 2-1. FIU is currently fourth in the C-USA standings, and they have an overall record of 7-5.

A third of the season has been completed for FIU and their offense has been a bright spot and has stacked up well against other C-USA teams. The Panthers are averaging 75.42 points per game which is fourth in the conference.
 
One of the reasons why FIU's offense is playing well is their success from behind the arc this season. FIU has made 87 three pointers (4^th in C-USA) while having the fifth best shooting percentage in the conference from three-point range at 32.0%.
 
Redshirt freshman Sifa Joyeuse is the Panthers' scoring leader averaging 12.4 points per game and is 14^th in C-USA with that mark. Joyeuse is also sixth in the conference with 25 three pointers made and sixth in free throw percentage (81%).
 
FIU continues to attack the glass at a high rate. As a team, they corralled 17 offensive boards against Charlotte which ties their season average for offensive rebounds per game. The Panthers continue to pace the conference averaging 42.17 rebounds per contest.
 
Senior center Hope Butera has been one of the premier rebounders in the conference sitting in 10^th place averaging 6.25 boards per game. Butera also has a firm lead in the conference with 41 offensive rebounds this season.
 
Junior forward Ajae Yoakum is fifth in the conference averaging 2.5 offensive boards a game while forward Maria Torres is eighth with 2.25.  

 FIU's defense has excelled this season on initiating turnovers. Against Charlotte their last time out, the Panthers forced 29 turnovers and scored 32 points off those mistakes. The Panthers are first in the conference averaging 11.75 steals per game and fourth in causing 21.75 turnovers per game for opposing teams.
 
FIU has three players in the C-USA top 10 in steals per game. Sophomore guard Tanajah Hayes leads the conference with 2.55 steals per game and senior guard Kaliah Henderson is right behind her in second place with 2.33.  Joyeuse cracks the top 10 at fifth place recording 2.0 steals.
  
SCOUTING UAB
The Blazers enter Saturday's matchup 9-4 on the season, including a 1-3 mark in Conference USA, and an undefeated record at home (6-0).
 
The last time UAB played, they earned their first C-USA victory of the season over conference opponent, Florida Atlantic University, 75-47, on Jan. 5. Their win over FAU snapped a two-game losing streak.
 
The Blazers lead the conference in scoring averaging 76.46 points per game as a team on 42.7% shooting. Just like FIU, the Blazers' impressive offensive numbers can be linked to their exceptional three-point shooting. UAB leads C-USA averaging 9.85 threes made per game and lead the conference with 128 total three pointers made.
 
UAB has three players averaging double digit points headlined by freshman guard Denim DeShields who leads the team with 12.8 and is fourth in the conference with 4.0 assists per game.
 
Fifth guard Margaret Whitley is second on the Blazers averaging 11.9 points and is third in C-USA with 31 three pointers made. Fifth year guard Lyndsey Robson is averaging 10.2 points this season and is third on the Blazers averaging 4.4 rebounds per game.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return home next week to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for two games starting off with a Wednesday (Jan.11) night showdown against in-state rival Florida Atlantic University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+. FIU will then welcome Western Kentucky University on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. and the matchup will also be aired through 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.