Miami, Fla. - FIU Women's Hoops moves on to round two of the 2024 Postseason WNIT after a 60-47 victory over Stetson at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center on Thursday night. The Panthers will travel to Alabama to take on Troy University, playing on Monday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The win marks the first postseason victory for the FIU Women's Basketball program since the 2012 Postseason WNIT, winning over Stetson then as well, 75-47.

The Panthers started out the contest on a 7-2 run over the first 2:24 of the first quarter, but Stetson immediately answered with an 8-2 run over the next 3:13, taking a 10-9 lead with 4:23 to go in the first quarter. Graduate student Olivia Trice followed up with a triple, giving the Panthers a 12-10 lead with 3:13 left to go in the opening frame. The Panthers would keep control for the rest of the game, never falling after reclaiming the early lead. FIU ended the first quarter with a 13-12 lead.

The second quarter was a gutsy affair, with the Panthers playing tough defense, not allowing any ground to the Hatters. FIU allowed their second lowest point total of the season in the frame, holding Stetson to only six points in the ten minutes before the half. As a team, the Panthers accumulated three steals, and forced nine turnovers, resulting in nine points off turnovers. Stetson was held to a 2-11 shooting clip from the field in the second quarter, good for an 18.2% field goal percentage. The Panthers went into the half with a 24-18 lead.

Both FIU's offense and defense started to click in the third quarter, shooting 50% from the field and racking up 18 points, holding Stetson to only eight on 25% shooting. Four Panthers contributed points to the cause, led by sophomore Angena Belloso with seven, corralling four rebounds in the frame as well. The guard ended with nine points, adding on six rebounds, two assists and two steals. FIU led going into the final frame with a comfortable 42-26 lead.

The Panthers kept their offense rolling in the fourth quarter, putting up 18 points again, this time led by Tanajah Hayes with eight points in the frame. The junior ended as FIU's leading scorer on the contest with 17 points, stuffing the stat sheet with eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Sophomore Mya Kone surged the Panthers to victory as well, putting up six points in the fourth quarter and 11 in the game. The Pompano Beach native grabbed nine rebounds as well, and swatted one block to round off her night. A strong second half for the Panthers spelled Stetson's defeat.

Graduate student Kaliah Henderson ended in double-digits as well, putting up 11 points on 5-8 shooting in 28 minutes of play.

The Panthers played physical until the end, outrebounding the Hatters 12-7 in the final frame and 38-34 on the night. Playing their best version of fast-paced ball, FIU sprinted to 13 fast break points to Stetson's five, spreading the ball out as well with 14 assists to the Hatters' 6. The Panthers capitalized off Hatters' mistakes as well, converting 19 points off turnovers to Stetson's 14. 

The win sent FIU to the second round of the WNIT for the fourth time in program history and first time since 2012. With a win over Troy, FIU will look to move past the second round of the WNIT for the first time in program history. 

Thursday night's victory gave FIU their 21^st win of the year, their most since the 23-win season of the 2011-2012 campaign.

Highlights from the win:

UP NEXT
The Panthers will travel to Troy, Alabama to play in round two of the Postseason WNIT against Troy University on Monday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Coverage of the contest is to be determined.

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