MIAMI,  Fla - The FIU women's basketball team won 54-51 over Bethune-Cookman University Sunday afternoon at the Oceanbank Convocation Center.

FIU (5-4) scored early and often in the first frame, going on a 12-0 run in the quarter to go up big and win the quarter 18-5. Six Panthers scored in the first, with the defense coming up big to force 10 turnovers, leading to nine points off turnovers in the period.

FIU went into the half up 11 and continued their momentum in the third quarter with six Panthers finding the bottom of the net in the frame. With Bethune-Cookman cutting their deficit down to single digits later in the quarter, junior Aileen Marquez hit two big 3-pointers to bring the Panthers's lead back up to 15. The sharpshooting guard ended the game with eight points on 3-6 shooting, four rebounds, and two assists in 22 minutes played. 

The Wildcats would go on a run to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, but graduate student Kaliah Henderson hit a late, contested, and-1 layup to tie the game with 11 seconds left. Henderson subsequently sank the free throw to put the Panthers in front for good. The former second team all-conference selection finished the contest with 10 points and five steals, both of which are season highs.

Courtney Prenger also recorded double-digits in the afternoon. The graduate student put up 10 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

FIU forced 12 steals in the game, capitalizing off those takeaways with 24 points off turnovers in the match. The Panthers feasted in the box against the Wildcats, scoring 32 points in the paint, accounting for almost 60% of their points. FIU controlled the game for most of the afternoon, leading for 37:01 and trailing for only five seconds.

UP NEXT

FIU will play their next game at Florida Atlantic University, Thursday December 14 at 11 a.m.

TICKETS 

For more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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