HUNTSVILLE, Texas - FIU women's basketball (9-11, 5-4 CUSA) will travel to Sam Houston (9-10, 2-7 CUSA) to take on the Bearkats on Thursday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET, in Huntsville, Texas

Thursday, Feb. 6th at Sam Houston

• Time/Site: 7:30 p.m. / Huntsville, Texas

• Series History: FIU leads, 3-0

QUICK FACTS

FIU ranks second in Conference USA in field goal percentage (45.7%). The Panthers are also second in offensive rebounds per game (12.7) and first in opponent rebounds per game, allowing just 28.8 rebounds per game. FIU ranks second in the conference and 26th nationally in rebound margin at +7.6.

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 eight games and grabbed four or more offensive rebounds in seven of her last nine contests. Natabou ranks fourth in CUSA in scoring during conference play, averaging 15.7 points per game, and fifth in rebounding with 8.3 rebounds per game. Overall, the Czech Republic native is second in CUSA in offensive rebounding, averaging 4.2 per game, and ranks 16th nationally.

Natabou leads the nation in field goal percentage at 69.9%, and she is third among active players in career field goal percentage at 63.8%.

Junior Parris Atkins ranks fifth in CUSA in scoring with 14.4 points per game this season and fifth in field goal percentage at 46.6%. She is also sixthh in steals per game (2.3) and eighth in total steals (42).

During CUSA play, Natabou (70.6%) and Atkins (51.4%) rank first and fourth, respectively, in field goal percentage.

Aaliyah Pitts had her best offensive performance of the season in the Panthers' last game against Jacksonville State, scoring a game-high 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. The senior also added eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Redshirt freshman Fantasia James had a career-high performance against Jacksonville State, scoring 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting. She also recorded three assists, three blocks, and two steals, all career highs.

True freshman Claudia Marina saw her first two starts come in the Panthers' recent homestand against Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State. Those contests saw the Spain-native score seven points per game, and grab a career-high seven rebounds against Kennesaw State. 

SCOUTING THE BEARKATS

Sam Houston sits at ninth in the conference with a 2-7 record in conference play, including a loss to FIU in Miami earlier this season. 

In 11 conference games, Sam Houston has the second-worst offensive production (57.1), and are allowing the second-most points per game (68.8). The Bearkats are sixth in the conference in rebounding, bringing down 34.1 rebounds per game in conference play, but are first in offensive rebounding with 14.9 offensive rebounds a game.

Forward Deborah Ogayemi leads the team with 12.1 points per game in conference play, 14th in CUSA, while grabbing 7.7 rebounds per game which is sixth in CUSA. Junior Fanta Kone leads the team with four assists per game in conference-play, fifth in CUSA, and is fourth on the Bearkats in scoring with 7.4 points scored per game. 

This will be the fourth meeting between the two programs. FIU is 3-0 so far in the programs' matchups, with their last contest coming earlier this season in Miami, with the Panthers winning 61-54.

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.