TAMPA, Fla. — FIU's women's basketball program was defeated 81-56 by South Florida in its 2025-26 season opener on Monday night.
 
Denika Lightbourne poured in 21 points in her first game as a Panther (0-1), but USF (1-0) scored 20-plus points in each of its first three quarters to claim the 25-point victory. Ndate Ndiaye went 3-for-5 from three and finished with 12 points. Claudia Marina rounded out FIU's double-digit scorers with 11 points, making two threes. 
 
Grecia Ferrer Leal played 38 minutes for the Panthers and produced a solid stat line with nine points, five assists and three rebounds. All 56 of FIU's points were scored by its starting five. 
 
As a team, the Panthers outshot the Bulls from distance, knocking down six threes while USF managed just three made triples. The Bulls, however, controlled the game inside, out-rebounding FIU 52-36 and scoring 36 points in the paint while the Panthers had 18. 
 
UP NEXT
FIU will have 12 days off from game action before the Panthers host Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, Nov. 15 at noon inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. 
 
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.