MIAMI - FIU women's basketball (10-14, 6-7 CUSA) will take on Liberty (18-6, 11-2 CUSA) for their second matchup of the season on Saturday, February 22 at 1 p.m. at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
Saturday, Feb. 22nd vs Liberty
QUICK FACTS
This will be the 3rd meeting between the two programs, with FIU and Liberty splitting their series last season, before the Flames beat the Panthers earlier this season.
FIU ranks second in Conference USA in field goal percentage (4568%). The Panthers are also second in offensive rebounds per game (12.6) and first in opponent rebounds per game, allowing just 29.4 rebounds per game. FIU ranks second in the conference in rebound margin at +6.3.
Senior Isnelle Natabou has been one of the top players in CUSA since conference play began. She has scored in double figures in her last 12 games, including a season-high 26 points against Louisiana Tech. The center has also grabbed four or more offensive rebounds in every conference game this season but two.
Natabou is third in CUSA in scoring during conference play, averaging 16.7 points per game after scoring 15 or more points in seven of her last nine games. The Czech-native has also been a dominant rebounder, sitting at fourth in CUSA in rebounding with 8.3 rebounds per game. Overall, she is first in CUSA in offensive rebounding, averaging 4.2 per game, and ranking 13th nationally.
Natabou leads the nation in field goal percentage at 70.3%, and she is fourth among active players across D1-D3 in career field goal percentage at 64%.
During CUSA play, Isnelle Natabou ranks first in field goal percentage at 70.3%, 12.8% better than the next highest player.
SCOUTING THE FLAMES
Liberty is among the top teams in Conference USA this season, coming into the matchup with an 18-6 overall record and 11-2 CUSA record, good for second in the conference.
The Flames are first in the conference in scoring, averaging 72.5 points per game on the season, and are allowing 61 points per game, third in the conference. Shooting the ball at 46.5% from the field and 35.9% from three, Liberty ranks first in both statistics on the season. Additionally, the Flames are first in CUSA in rebounding, averaging 39.3 rebounds per game, while allowing just 31.3 rebounds a game, second in the conference behind FIU.
The Lady Flames are led by center Bella Smuda, who leads the team in scoring (12.1), rebounding (6.5), and blocks (1.9) per game. Guard Emma Hess is second on the team in scoring with 10 points a game to go along with 2.4 assists per game which is tied for the team lead. A well-rounded team, Liberty has three other players who average seven points or more per game.
FIU will look to stifle the Lady Flames' blistering run through Conference USA, as the Panthers look to buckle themselves in for the final stretch of the season. FIU is currently sixth in the conference, with just 2.5 games separating them from third to sixth in CUSA.Â
TICKETS
For more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE
SOCIAL MEDIA
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