LYNCHBURG, Va. - FIU women's basketball will be on the road once again this Saturday when they take on Liberty in their first bout of the season against the Flames on Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. in Lynchburg.

Saturday, Jan. 25th at Liberty

• Time/Site: 1 p.m. / Liberty Arena

• Series History: Series tied, 1-1

QUICK FACTS

FIU and Liberty split their matchups last season, with both teams winning on their respective home courts. It is the only time the two programs have played each other in their programs' histories.

Senior Isnelle Natabou has been playing her best ball of the season, scoring double-digit points in the last five games in a row, and corralling five or more offensive rebounds in five of their last six contests. She is 2nd in CUSA in offensive rebounds per game at 4.1, and 19th in the NCAA.

Natabou is third among active players in career field-goal percentage at 63.8%

FIU is 1st in CUSA in FG% at 46.2%, 30th in the country. The team is second in offensive rebounds per game with 13.1, but are first in opponent rebounds per game during conference play, holding CUSA opponents to just 28.6 rebounds per game. The Panthers are also first in the conference and 19th in the country in rebound margin at +8.7.

Junior Parris Atkins is 5th in CUSA in scoring with 14.6 points per game this season, and 4th in field goal percentage at 47.7%. Additionally, she is tied for 6th in steals per game with 2.5, and fifth in total steals with 42.

Isnelle Natabou (75%) and Parris Atkins (55.9%) are first and second respectively during CUSA play in field goal percentage. 

SCOUTING THE FLAMES

Liberty has started conference play as one of the best teams in the league. Projected second in the CUSA preseason poll, Liberty finds themselves in first place going into their matchup with the Panthers, with a 5-1 CUSA record and 12-5 overall record. 

The Flames are leading the conference in points per game, scoring 73.6 points per contest over 17 matchups this season. They are sixth in the conference in defense, allowing 63.9 points per game.

Liberty leads the conference in rebounding as well, corralling 39.5 rebounds per game, while also leading in free-throw percentage at 75%. A knockdown shooting team, Liberty leads CUSA in three-point percentage as well at 38%.

Liberty is led by senior Bella Smuda who leads the team with 11.8 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game and 1.9 blocks per game, the latter of which is third in CUSA. A duo of guards in senior Emma Hess and sophomore Asia Boone are second and third on the team respectively in scoring, with Hess scoring 10.4 points per game and Boone not far behind at 10.1 points per game. 

FIU will look to avenge the last matchup between the two programs when Liberty bested the Panthers in Lynchburg, 71-56.

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 @FIUSportson Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.