MIAMI - Women's basketball (10-13, 6-6 CUSA) cruised past University of Texas - El Paso (9-13, 2-9 CUSA) on Thursday morning, beating the Miners 83-66 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center to complete their sixth conference victory.
UTEP had cut the Panther lead to as little as four points at the conclusion of the third quarter, but a 24-11 fourth quarter and 11 points from Lucia Fleta sealed the win for FIU down the stretch.
FIU started the contest shooting the lights out, sinking five three-pointers in the opening frame, led by redshirt freshman Fantasia James, who went 3-3 from beyond the arc in the first quarter. The guard had herself a career day, ending with 18 points and nine rebounds, both of which were career-highs, and added on two assists and two blocks to her line. The Panthers ended the first quarter with a 24-15 lead.
The two teams battled in the second quarter, both ending with 16 points in the frame before the half, with FIU heading into the break with a 40-31 advantage. The Miners continued to fight in the third quarter, trickling the FIU lead to four points by the end of the penultimate quarter. The contest went into the fourth quarter with the Panthers leading 59-55.
The Panthers' offense re-ignited in the final ten minutes, scoring 24 points and hitting four threes to dominate UTEP down the stretch. Lucia Fleta led the way with 11 points on 4-5 shooting and 3-4 from three-point range. The senior ended the matchup with a career-high 20 points on 7-11 shooting and 6-10 from three. FIU's leading facilitator on the season, Fleta ended with four assists and three steals to cap off her career day.
The Panthers were scoring in droves, with senior Bineta Diatta ending with 19 points on 8-13 shooting to go along with six rebounds and three assists. Fellow senior Isnelle Natabou completed her afternoon with 11 points and three rebounds, while senior Aaliyah Pitts also stepped up on offense, adding on 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
It was STEAM day at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, with FIU welcoming over 2,000 elementary students from around the Miami-Dade area. In the Jesyka Burks-Wiley era, FIU is 4-0 when the Panthers host the day of science and weather education.
UP NEXT
FIU will stay at The Bank, hosting New Mexico State on Saturday, February 15 at 1 p.m.
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.
