RUSTON, La. – FIU women's basketball dropped their second consecutive game on Saturday evening, falling to Louisiana Tech 69-59.

After trailing by 12 points at halftime, the Panthers made a strong push in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Techsters 20-10 and cutting the deficit to just two points heading into the final period. With the Panthers down by only one point with 2:32 remaining, Louisiana Tech closed the game with an 11-0 run to seal the victory and split the season series.

The game began with the Lady Techsters taking an early 16-9 lead in the first nine minutes. Despite shooting just 33.3% from the field in the opening frame, LA Tech found themselves with a 20-13 lead as the first quarter ended.

Louisiana Tech shot effectively in the second quarter, converting 7-of-16 attempts, and carried a 36-24 lead into halftime.

FIU responded well out of the break, shooting 70% and scoring 20 points. The Panthers erased a 12-point deficit to pull within two points by the end of the frame. Senior Isnelle Natabou contributed eight points in the period, finishing with a game-high 26 points on 12-of-15 shooting. She also added nine rebounds and one block to her line. FIU entered the fourth quarter down 46-44.

The final period was a back-and-forth battle, with the teams exchanging buckets down the stretch. With the game locked at 53 with 3:46 remaining, Louisiana Tech closed the contest on a 14-4 run to secure the win, handing FIU their eighth road loss of the season.

Seniors Bineta Diatta and Aaliyah Pitts joined Natabou with double-digit scoring efforts of their own. Diatta finished with 13 points and six rebounds, adding two blocks and one steal. Pitts scored 11 points, hitting 3-of-7 from three-point range, while also recording six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

UP NEXT
FIU will look to get themselves back in the win column on Thursday, February 13, when they take on UTEP at 11 a.m. 

TICKETS
For more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE. 

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