Miami, Fla  — The FIU Women's Basketball Team drops their second game to Middle Tennessee by a score of 73-54 at MTSU's home court in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

FIU (16-7, 7-2 CUSA) held the Blue Raiders (19-4, 9-0 CUSA) in check in the first half, going toe-to-toe with the first place team in the conference, ending the half down only five 33-28. Six Panthers contributed buckets in the first 20 minutes, led by junior Tanajah Hayes with eight on 3-4 shooting from the field including 2-2 from beyond the arc. The guard was tied for the most points on the team for the game with 13 points. She added four rebounds and an assist to her statline to round out her afternoon. In the first half, the Panthers shot 45.5% from three, and 75% from the free-throw line. 

MTSU lengthened their lead to 13 at the end of the third quarter and into the fourth quarter, going on a 7-0 run from 0:01 left in the third to 8:04 in the fourth, not allowing FIU to re-gain momentum for the remainder of the contest. Senior Maria Torres led all FIU scorers in the second half with eight. The forward tied Tanajah Hayes for most points on the team in the game with 13 points, adding on four rebounds, an assist and a block. 

Sophomore Mya Kone was the only other Panther to score in double-digits in the game, ending with 10 points, including 2-3 from three, five rebounds, one block and one assist. As a team, FIU outrebounded MTSU 36-35, beating the Blue Raiders in offensive boards 13-9 as well. FIU led in bench points 13-2, and tied Middle Tennessee in steals 6-6. 

UP NEXT
FIU will return to the Bank to play Sam Houston on Thursday, February 15th at 11 a.m. The Panthers will invite local Miami schools for their annual STEAM game.

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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