RUSTON, La. - FIU women's basketball (9-12, 5-5 CUSA) will embark to Ruston to take on Louisiana Tech (12-9, 5-5 CUSA) in their second contest of the season on Saturday, February 8 at 4 p.m. ET.

Saturday, Feb. 8th at Louisiana Tech

• Time/Site: 4 p.m. ET / Ruston, LA

• Series History: LA Tech leads, 16-4

QUICK FACTS

While the Lady Techsters may lead FIU in the all-time series, FIU has had LA Tech's number in recent years, winning their last three contests dating back to last season, the longest winning streak FIU has had against Louisiana Tech in program history.

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 28.6 rebounds per game. FIU ranks second in the conference and 26th nationally in rebound margin at +7.8.

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 nine games and grabbed four or more offensive rebounds in nine of her last ten contests since CUSA-play began. 

Natabou ranks fourth in CUSA in scoring during conference play, averaging 15.7 points per game, and fifth in rebounding with 8.5 rebounds per game. Overall, the Czech Republic native is second in CUSA in offensive rebounding, averaging 4.1 per game, and ranks 14th nationally.

Natabou leads the nation in field goal percentage at 70.6%, and she is third among active players in career field goal percentage at 64%.

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 sixth in steals per game (2.3).

During CUSA play, Natabou (71.7%) and Atkins (51.4%) rank first and fifth, respectively, in field goal percentage.

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 LADY TECHSTERS

LA Tech comes into the matchup with a 5-5 conference record and 12-9 overall record, fourth in CUSA and one place ahead of FIU.

During conference-play, the Lady Techsters are fourth in scoring, putting up 65.4 points per game, and sixth in defense, allowing 66.5 points per game. LA Tech is also middle of the road in field goal percentage, sitting at fourth during CUSA-play, shooting 43.1%, and is fourth in rebounding, grabbing 36.4 rebounds per game.

Louisiana Tech is led by freshman Paris Bradley, sitting at fifth in scoring during conference-play at 15.5 points per game, also leading the team in field goal percentage (51.5%) and assists per game (3.2). Another freshman in Jordan Marshall leads LA Tech in rebounding during CUSA-play with 6.5 rebounds per game, ninth in the conference. The forward adds on 10.3 points per game, fourth on the team.

A duo of guards in Robyn Lee (11.9) and Jianna Morris (11.3) are second and third for the Lady Techsters respectively in scoring during conference-play.

Last season, FIU came back to win on Louisiana Tech's home court after being down by seven points with 1:10 left to play. FIU followed up the performance with a 68-51 dismantling of the Lady Techsters in Miami, the largest margin of victory against LA Tech in program history.

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.