Ruston, LA. – The FIU women's basketball team kick off a two-game road trip tomorrow starting in Ruston, LA to take on Louisiana Tech on Thursday night, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. ET inside the Thomas Assembly Center.

Thursday, Feb. 9 at LA Tech (12-10, 5-7 C-USA)

• Time / Site: 7 p.m. ET at Thomas Assembly Center
• TV: CUSA.tv
• Live Stats
• Series History: LA Tech leads 8-1

The Panthers (12-10, 7-6 C-USA) are winners of their last two games after defeating Charlotte, 50-44, and UAB, 84- 81, at home last week. The two-game win streak has moved FIU to fourth place in the C-USA standings.
 
FIU's offense is fourth in C-USA averaging 69.9 points per game and fourth in the league with 135 three pointers made averaging 6.14 per game. In their previous game against the Blazers, the Panthers made 10 three pointers on a season high 67% shooting (10-15).
 
Senior guard Kaliah Henderson is entering tomorrow's game as the reigning Conference USA Women's Basketball player of the week after averaging 24 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 steals in FIU's two victories last week.
 
Against UAB on Feb. 2, she recorded a career high 28 points off the bench and 16 of her 28 points came in the fourth quarter to lead a 13-point comeback win.
 
Henderson has scored double figures in 11 of the last 12 games and is FIU's leading scorer averaging 14.5 points per game, the seventh best scoring mark in Conference USA. Henderson is also fourth in the conference with 45 steals and fifth in the league averaging 2.1 per game.
 
Redshirt freshman Sifa Joyeuse is second on the Panthers averaging 10.4 points per game (19^th in C-USA) and is fourth in the conference with 43 threes made this season. Against UAB, Joyeuse was third on the Panthers with 13 points and was 3-4 from behind the arc.
 
On the glass, the Panthers enter tomorrow's game against the Lady Techsters third in the conference in rebounds averaging 40.1 per game, and first in C-USA averaging 15.41 offensive boards (326 total).
 
Senior center Hope Butera is FIU's leading rebounder averaging 5.6 per game, (12^th in C-USA). Butera is also one of the top rebounders in the conference on the offensive glass averaging 2.64 per game and second in the league with 58 total.

Defensively, the Panthers are second in the conference with 226 steals this season averaging 10.27 per game and second in forcing 19.9 turnovers per game for opposing teams.
 
Sophomore guard Tanajah Hayes is second in the conference in steals per game averaging 2.52, and also leads FIU averaging 3.9 assists per game (4^th in C-USA). Hayes also recorded her career high in points (27) last week against Charlotte and led the team in assists (6) and rebounds (6).
 
SCOUTING LA TECH
The Lady Techsters enter Thursday's contest 12-10 on the season with a 5-7 mark in conference play. LA Tech is currently on a two- game skid which has dropped them to eighth in the C-USA standings. Their last victory was on Jan. 26 against UAB.
 
LA Tech is eighth in the conference in scoring averaging 65.18 points per game on 44.8% shooting (1^st in C-USA). They also shoot well from the charity stripe at 77.7 percent, the second highest mark in the league.
 
The Lady Techsters have two players averaging double figure points headlined by senior guard Keiunna Walker averaging 17.1 (3^rd in C-USA) while junior forward Anna Lar Roberson is second on the team with 11.9. Roberson also leads the Lady Techsters on the glass averaging 7.4 rebounds per game.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers' road trip will continue in Houston, TX to play against Rice on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on C-USA.tv

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.