MIAMI - FIU women's basketball's Isnelle Natabou racked up a double-double to lead the Panthers to a 72-61 win over Louisiana Tech on Thursday evening at the Ocean Bank Convocation center.

FIU started the matchup playing from behind, with LA Tech going on an 11-4 run over the first 4:44 of the game to take an early lead. A late scoring push saw the Panthers cut the deficit to three by the end of the first, going on a 13-9 run to end the opening frame, heading into the second quarter trailing 20-17.

FIU continued their explosive scoring into the second frame, going on a 20-0 run from the end of the first quarter to 4:47 left before the half. The Panthers spread the scoring around, with seven players seeing buckets in the frame before the break. Senior Lucia Fleta Robles had five points in the quarter on 2-2 shooting including 1-1 from three.

The Spain-native ended with 11 points on 4-8 shooting including three buckets from beyond the arc, adding on four assists and three steals. FIU went into the half up, 40-29. 

Both teams poured on the scoring in the third quarter, with FIU scoring 19 to the Lady Techsters' 21. Senior Isnelle Natabou showed her experience and went to work in the penultimate frame, scoring eight points on 4-5 shooting, ending the contest with a game-high 22 points on 9-12 shooting as well as 10 rebounds.

It is her 21st double-double of her career and first as a member of the Panthers. FIU would lead going into the final frame, 59-50.

LA Tech cut the Panther lead down to just six with 1:45 remaining in the game, but a 6-1 FIU run to end the game would secure the lead and the victory for the home team.

Four Panthers, including Natabou and Fleta ended the contest in double-digit figures. Junior Parris Atkins had 12 on the night on 4-6 shooting, along with four rebounds and four assists. Senior Bineta Diatta was the last Panther to score in double-digits, ending with 10 on 5-7 from the field, stuffing the stat sheet with two rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Dating back to last season, this is the first time the Panthers have won three games in a row against Louisiana Tech in program history and the first time FIU has won back-to-back games this season.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will be back at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for a matchup against Sam Houston on Saturday, January 11 at 1 p.m.

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 @FIUAthletics on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.