MIAMI – Women's basketball used an 11-1 fourth quarter run and 20 points from Parris Atkins to steam past in-state rival, Florida Atlantic, 80-63 on Monday evening.

The Owls were hot from the field in the first half, shooting 53.6% from the field and 50% from three in the first two periods. The Panthers kept it close, with Parris Atkins leading with 16 points in the opening 20 minutes, ending with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. The contest went into the halftime break with the Owls leading 41-37.

The Panthers offense started to roll in the third quarter, taking the lead off a Judit Valero triple with 5:09 left in the penultimate frame and would not give it up for the rest of the contest. The junior Valero ended with a season-high 13 points in the game, scoring 11 of her points when it mattered most in the second half. The Spanish native rounded out her night with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

After Florida Atlantic hit a three to tie the game at the third-quarter buzzer, the Panthers immediately answered with a 6-1 run to start the fourth frame, and followed it up with an 11-1 run from the 5:20-2:13 marks in the final period, sealing the first road victory for FIU on the season. FIU outscored the Owls 25-8 over the game's final 10 minutes.

Junior Rhema Collins provided a spark for the Panthers when they needed it most, with the Bahamas native ending with 16 points, 11 of which came in the second half. Collins stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals. It is Collins' CUSA-leading fifth double-double in seven games played.

Fellow junior Denika Lightbourne notched an efficient 16 points on 7-9 shooting, adding on five rebounds and three steals. It is the Bahamas native's fourth game of the young season scoring in double-digit figures.

Freshman Grecia Ferrer Leal was the final Panther to end her night in double-digit scoring, ending with 12 points on 5-8 shooting and added on four assists and three steals.

The Panthers out-rebounded Florida Atlantic 42-27, beating the Owls in second-chance points 15-5. Forcing 22 turnovers in the game, FIU scored 32 point turnovers and dominated in the paint, scoring 42 to the Owls 26 from down low.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will welcome Youngstown State, UMass and Florida Atlantic to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center for the annual FIU Holiday Classic from December 19-20, with all games to be broadcasted on ESPN+.

TICKETS
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