JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - FIU women's basketball will hit the road once again when they travel to face Jacksonville on Saturday, November 22 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 22 at Jacksonville
QUICK FACTS
Jacksonville currently holds a 9–5 lead in the all-time series. The Dolphins took last season's matchup, but FIU got the upper hand in 2023–24, earning their first win over Jacksonville since the 2020–21 campaign.
Parris Atkins put up a team-high 20 points in the Panthers' last matchup at UCF on 11/18/25, her third 20-point performance of her career. She already has double-digit point performances in both of her games played this year, adding on to her total of 20 career double-digit scoring games coming into the season.
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. She continued her scoring prowess at UCF, where she ended second on the team with 14 points scored and led the Panthers with seven rebounds.
Early CUSA Leaders:
Scoring:
Parris Atkins, 5th - 16.5 ppg
Rhema Collins, 6th - 15.5 ppg
Rebounding:
Rhema Collins, 8th - 8.5 rpg
Field Goal %:
Rhema Collins, 9th - 47.6%
Free-throw %:
Parris Atkins, 5th - 78.6%
Assists:
Grecia Ferrer, 1st - 5.3 apg
Blocks:
Rhema Collins, 5th - 1.5 bpg
Steals:
Parris Atkins, 2nd - 4 spg
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 DOLPHINS
Jacksonville is off to a strong start to the 2025–26 season, entering the matchup with a 3–1 record and securing wins over Charleston Southern, Florida Tech, and most recently, power-4 opponent Georgia Tech. Last season, the Dolphins finished seventh in the ASUN standings with a 14–17 overall record and an 8–10 mark in conference play. Their season came to an end in the first round of the ASUN Tournament with an 80–79 loss to Bellarmine.
Through their first four games, the Dolphins rank fifth in the conference in scoring at 71.3 points per game, while allowing 73.8 points per game, which sits ninth in the ASUN.
Jacksonville is led by graduate guard Priscilla Williams, who is averaging 16.5 points per game, fifth in the conference, and an ASUN-best 10.3 rebounds per game. A productive playmaker, Williams is also tied for the team lead with 3.5 assists per game. She shares that mark with freshman Tatum Brown, who is averaging 12 points per game and leads both Jacksonville and the ASUN with 3.8 steals per game.
This is the second straight season the Dolphins have opened 3–1 through their first four contests. Head coach Special Jennings, now in her third year at the helm, holds a 27–38 career record, with her best season coming last year when the team finished 14–17.
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.
