HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The six-seed FIU women's basketball team was defeated by the three-seed Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the quarterfinals of the CUSA Women's Basketball Championships, 73-66.
Senior Isnelle Natabou, the CUSA Newcomer of the Year and All-CUSA First Team honoree, maintained a high level of play until the final buzzer. The center finished with a game-high 23 points, along with nine rebounds, one assist, and one block.
The Panthers (11-19, 7-11 CUSA) fought back after a tough start, enduring an early 11-0 run in the first 3:44 of the game, ending the first quarter down 19-12. FIU responded with tight, hard-nosed defense in the second quarter, limiting CUSA's leader in points per game to just 10 points during the period.
FIU trimmed the deficit to just four points by halftime, scoring 13 points in the second quarter, led by senior Aaliyah Pitts with five. Pitts finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, a season-high seven assists, and three steals. The Panthers trailed 29-25 at the half.
Both teams ramped up the scoring in the second half, with FIU putting up 21 points in the third quarter to WKU's 24. Senior forward Bineta Diatta added eight points in the frame, finishing the game as the third Panther in double digits with 14 points, six rebounds, and one block.
Despite scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter, FIU couldn't complete the comeback, ending their 2024-25 season in Huntsville, Alabama.
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