Jacksonville, Ala. - FIU women's basketball (10-16, 6-9 CUSA) play their last road game of the regular season at Jacksonville State (10-17, 4-12 CUSA) on Saturday, March 1 at 1 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 at Jacksonville State
QUICK FACTS
This will be the 11th meeting between the two programs, with FIU triumphing over Jax State in their first matchup of the season, 62-52.
FIU ranks second in Conference USA in field goal percentage (44.6%). The Panthers are also second in offensive rebounds per game (12.6) and first in opponent rebounds per game, allowing just 29.6 rebounds per game. FIU ranks second in the conference in rebound margin at +5.8.
Senior Isnelle Natabou has been one of the top players in CUSA since conference play began. She has scored in double figures in 13 of her last 14 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 fourth in CUSA in scoring during conference play, averaging 16.1 points per game, scoring 15 or more points in nine conference games this season. 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 14th nationally.
Natabou leads the nation in field goal percentage at 68%, and she is fourth among active players across D1-D3 in career field goal percentage at 63.7%.Â
During CUSA play, Isnelle Natabou ranks first in field goal percentage at 67.3%.
Junior Parris Atkins sits at fifth in the conference with 14.2 points per game to go along with a 45.6% field goal percentage, also sixth in CUSA. The junior in her first year with the Panthers is second in the conference in steals per game with 2.6, and has 51 steals overall.Â
Redshirt freshman Fantasia James has come into her own as a member of the Panthers in her first year on the court, starting the last four games and has been a key contributor this season. The guard scored 16 points in a victory over Jacksonville State, before almost putting up her first career double-double in a 18-point, nine-rebound performance against UTEP.
SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS
Jax State comes into the matchup ninth in CUSA with a 4-12 conference record, along with a 10-17 overall record.
The Gamecocks sit at last in the conference in scoring, putting up 59.3 points per game, while allowing just 59.8 points per game, good for second in CUSA. JSU is a gritty defensive team, only giving up a 40.1% field goal percentage so far this season, but shooting just 36.1% themselves.
Kennesaw is led by senior Prencis Harden, with the guard averaging 15.9 points per game, and 10.8 rebounds overall, good for third and first in CUSA respectively. The forward is coming off a recent matchup against UTEP where she put up 39 points on 13-26 shooting and 13-14 from the free-throw line. Harden is complimented by guard Keyarah Berry who is averaging 11.7 points per game this season, and leads the Owls with 1.4 steals per game.
A well-rounded team, Jax State is led by guard Clara Gonzalez with 8.1 points per game, but forward Bre'Anna Rhodes leads the team with 82 field goals made for 7.8 points per game on 39% shooting. Another guard in Samiya Steele leads JSU with 2.6 assists per game, while forward Asia Barclay averages the most rebounds per game with 5.6.
FIU will look to complete their first season sweep this season after beating Jacksonville earlier in the 2024-25 campaign.
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 @FIUSportson Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
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