MIAMI - FIU women's basketball (1-1) will head to Orlando for a power-4 matchup at UCF (1-1) on Tuesday, December 18 at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 at UCF
QUICK FACTS
FIU leads UCF 30-12 in the all-time series against UCF. The Panthers' longest winning streak over the Knights is 24 between 1985 and 2003. Currently, UCF has a two-game winning streak, with their last game coming in 2016.
FIU's matchup against Bethune-Cookman marked many firsts for the 2025-26 Panthers, starting with the team's first win of the season. Senior Parris Atkins, junior Rhema Collins and Riley Burd each played their first game of the season against B-CU. Additionally, three players in junior Riley Burd (three points), junior Adama Badjie Coly (nine points) and sophomore Astrid Mukulumpe (two points) all scored their first Division 1 points.
Rhema Collins, playing in her first game as a Panther, had a career-day against Bethune-Cookman (11.15.25). The junior went off for 17 points and 10 rebounds, her first double-double of her career. The Bahamas native added on three steals and three blocks to her statline to round out her FIU-debut.
Parris Atkins and redshirt-junior Fantasia James both had double-digit scoring performances against Bethune-Cookman. Atkins, playing in her first game of the season, put up 13 points, added on two assists and a game-high five steals. James had an efficient 14 points on 5-7 shooting, contributing five rebounds, one assist and one block as well.
Junior Denika Lightbourne had a career day in the Panthers' first game of the season against USF (11.3.25). The Bahamas native dropped 21 points and eight rebounds, both of which were career highs.
Sophomore Ndate Ndiaye also had a nice opening matchup at USF (11.3.25), putting up a career-high 12 points on 4-8 shooting, including 3-5 from three. She added on five rebounds, one assist and one block.
FIU welcomes back five returners to Miami in senior Parris Atkins, redshirt-sophomore Fantasia James, junior Judit Valero and sophomores Ndate Ndiaye and Claudia Marina.
Parris Atkins and Fantasia James were both honored with CUSA All-Conference awards last season. Parris Atkins, then in her first season as a Panther, was an immediate contributor and made the CUSA All-Conference Second Team. James, a redshirt freshman at the time, was named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team for her performance during the 2024-25 season.
FIU has the most international players rostered in Conference USA. The Panthers boast 12 of their 14 players born outside of the United States.
FIU is coming off a 2024-25 season that saw the Panthers go 11-18 overall and 7-11 in conference-play, ending sixth in the conference.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
UCF is coming off a 2024-25 season in which it went 12-18 overall and 4-14 in Big 12 play, finishing 13th in the conference standings. The Knights advanced through the first round of the Big-12 Tournament with an 81-69 win over BYU before falling to Kansas State in the second round, 80-65.
The Knights are 1-1 to start the 2025-26 campaign. UCF opened the year with a dominant 75-36 victory over Bethune-Cookman, but stumbled in its second outing with a narrow 66-64 loss to Charlotte.
Through two games, UCF is averaging 69.5 points per game, ranking 15th in the Big 12. Defensively, the Knights have been strong, allowing just 51 points per game, tied for fourth-best in the conference.
UCF is led by guard Leah Harmon, who tops the team with 15.5 points per game, placing her 18th in the Big 12. She's joined by center Savannah Scott, who ranks second on the team with nine points per game and currently leads the conference in blocked shots with three per game.
This will be the first meeting between FIU and UCF since 2016. The Knights won that matchup, 69-52, though FIU holds the advantage in the all-time series, leading 30-12.
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.
