Huntsville, Ala. - The No. six-seed FIU women's basketball team (11-16, 7-9 CUSA) will play No. three-seed Western Kentucky (22-8, 13-5 CUSA) in the quarterfinals of the CUSA Women's Basketball Championships on Thursday, March 13 at 3 p.m. ET.

Thursday, March 13 vs Western Kentucky

• Time/Site: 3 p.m. ET / Propst Arena

• Series History: WKU leads, 36-11

QUICK FACTS

This will be the 48th meeting between the two programs dating back to 1999. The Panthers have gotten the best of the Hilltoppers in three of the last four matchups dating back to last season. The two teams have split the season series 1-1, with both teams winning on the road.

FIU had three players honored with all conference selections. Isnelle Natabou earned CUSA Newcomer of the Year, as well as a place on the All-Conference USA First Team. Parris Atkins averaged 13.7 points per game and 2.4 steals per game to earn herself a spot on the All-CUSA Second Team. Finally, Fantasia James averaged 8.4 points per game and 0.8 blocks per game in CUSA-play, seeing herself put on the CUSA All-Freshman Team.

FIU ranks third in Conference USA in field goal percentage (44.9%). The Panthers are also third in offensive rebounds per game (12.3) and first in opponent rebounds per game, allowing just 29.1 rebounds per game. FIU ranks second in the conference in rebound margin at +5.4.

Senior Isnelle Natabou has been one of the top players in CUSA since conference play began. She has scored in double figures in every conference game but three, including a season-high 26 points against Louisiana Tech. The center has also grabbed four or more offensive rebounds in almost every conference game this season.

Natabou is fourth in CUSA in scoring during conference play, averaging 16.2 points per game, scoring 15 or more points in 11 conference games this season. The Czech-native has also been a dominant rebounder, sitting at sixth in CUSA in rebounding with 7.7 rebounds per game. Overall, she is first in CUSA in offensive rebounding, averaging 4.1 per game, and ranking 15th nationally.

Natabou is first in the nation in field goal percentage at 67.2%, and she is fourth among active players across D1-D3 in career field goal percentage at 63.7%. 

During CUSA play, Isnelle Natabou ranks first in field goal percentage at 66.5%.

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 HILLTOPPERS

WKU ended the season third in the conference with a 12-5 CUSA record and a 22-5 overall record.

Western Kentucky boasts the best offense in CUSA, scoring 70.5 points per game, and are allowing 61.9 points per game which is third in the conference. A good shooting team, WKU is second in the conference with a 45.1% shooting percentage and a 33.1% clip from three, also second in CUSA. WKU's biggest weakness is their rebounding prowess, sitting at second to last in the conference averaging 31.7 rebounds a game. 

The Hilltoppers had three players on the CUSA All-Conference Awards list, with Guard Alexis Mead being placed on First Team after scoring 13.3 points per game, 4.1 assists per game and 2.1 steals per game. She was also honored on the CUSA All-Defense Team. Fellow guard Josie Gilvin saw herself on the All-CUSA Second Team and CUSA All-Defense team after putting up 13 points per game and leading CUSA with 2.9 steals per game. The last of WKU's trio of guards to make All-Conference was Destiny Salary, who scored 12.6 points per game, good enough to All-CUSA Second Team.

FIU will look to win their first conference tournament game since the 2020-21 season, when they beat Southern Miss. 85-75.

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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