BOWLING GREEN, Ky - Women's basketball won an 80-79 thriller against Western Kentucky on Saturday afternoon in Bowling Green, the Panthers' first victory of conference play and first of the new year. Angena Belloso and Parris Atkins both ended with 23 points, a career-high for both guards.
Western Kentucky broke out to an early lead after a 21-10 run over the first 5:49 of the match. The Panthers immediately showed their resilience, going on an 11-5 run of their own over the final 4:11 of the opening frame to end the first quarter in a 26-21 deficit. Five Panthers scored in the first 10 minutes, led by junior Angena Belloso with six points. The guard ended the contest with a career-high 23 points on an efficient 8-11 shooting and 2-3 from beyond the arc, tacking on a career-high eight assists, six rebounds and two steals in the process.
FIU flexed its defensive muscles in the second quarter, holding WKU to just 27.8% in the frame before the half while scoring 23 points of their own on a staggering 81.8% from the field, going into the break with a 44-39 advantage.
The third quarter proved to be a back-and-forth affair, with the Panthers scoring 19 points on 53.8% shooting to the Lady Hilltoppers' 16 points on 41.2% shooting. FIU dominated the glass with 12 rebounds to WKU's 4 in the frame, ending the contest leading the rebound battle 44-20. The Panthers went into the final period with a 63-55 lead.
FIU held a strong 14-point lead with 3:04 left to go in the game, but a 17-4 Western Kentucky run over the final 2:55 of the match saw the lead close in the waning moments. Clutch free-throws from Angena Belloso and senior Aaliyah Pitts held the Lady Hilltoppers at bay, earning FIU their first victory of conference play.
Junior Parris Atkins also had a career-high with 23 points in the match, going 10-13 from the field and tying a career-high with nine rebounds. The Arkansas-native added on three steals in the game, solidifying her position as the leader in assists per game in the conference so far this season.
Aaliyah Pitts, a transfer coming from Western Kentucky, ended with 12 points on an efficient 4-5 shooting, tying a career-high with 12 rebounds, her second double-double of her career.
Senior Isnelle Natabou was the final Panther to end in double-digits, scoring 10 points on 5-7 shooting, adding on eight rebounds in the match.
The Panthers' 68.1% shooting-percent is the highest field-goal percentage in Conference USA this season.
FIU has now beaten Western Kentucky three consecutive times dating back to last season, only the second time in program history achieving the feat, with the last time coming over the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will be back at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center this week for a matchup against Louisiana Tech on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.
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