MIAMI – Four Panthers score in double digits as women's basketball (2-3) drives past UMBC (2-5) in the first round of the 2025 FIU Thanksgiving Classic, 86-76.
UMBC came out hot in the first quarter, taking an early 19-10 lead through the first 10 minutes of the contest.
FIU bounced back in the second quarter, out-scoring the Retrievers 19-12 and cutting their deficit to just two into the half, 31-29. Rhema Collins put up big numbers in the quarter with eight points scored, ending the afternoon tied for the team-leader in scoring with 19 points, eight rebounds, one block and two steals.
The Panthers continued to stay hot out of the half, using a 13-2 run from 5:53 to 4:24 in the frame to go up eight points at the conclusion of the third quarter. Denika Lightbourne put up eight points in the frame, going 3-4 from the field and 2-2 from three. The Bahamas native ended tied for the team-high with 19 points, two rebounds and two steals, her third double-digit scoring performance of the season. FIU went into the final frame with a 60-52 lead.
The fourth quarter proved to be a high scoring affair, with FIU putting up 26 and UMBC tacking on 24. The Panthers were able to close out the game strong, notching their second win of the young 2025-26 campaign.
Parris Atkins was the Panthers' third highest scorer, ending the contest with 18. The guard was all over the court, adding six rebounds, five assists and a new career-high of six steals on to her high scoring total.
Grecia Ferrer was the final Panther to score in double-digits, finishing with a new career-high of 12 points to go along with three rebounds, three assists and four steals.
The Panthers held advantages in points off turnovers (28-15), points in the paint (46-36) and fastbreak points (11-7), staying undefeated in the all-time series against UMBC.
UP NEXT
Women's basketball will compete in the championship game of the FIU Thanksgiving Tournament against the winner of Presbyterian and Seattle on Sunday, November 30 at 1:30 p.m., to be broadcasted on ESPN+.
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