MIAMI – The FIU women's basketball team (11-18, 7-11 CUSA) fell to Middle Tennessee (24-7, 16-2 CUSA), 65-44, in their final matchup of the 2024-25 regular season.

The game was close at the half, with MTSU holding a narrow four-point lead. However, the Blue Raiders used a 16-2 run in the third quarter to extend their advantage and never looked back.

Both teams played strong defense from the start, with each scoring 11 points in the first quarter. Senior Isnelle Natabou led the Panthers, scoring six of the team's first-quarter points and finishing with a team-high 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting. The center also grabbed seven rebounds and collected three steals to cap off a solid performance.

FIU kept pace with MTSU in the second quarter, scoring 12 points to the Blue Raiders' 16. The Panthers shot well from the free-throw line, going 12-of-14 for the game, including 8-of-10 in the second quarter. Despite the effort, FIU entered halftime trailing 27-23.

In the second half, Middle Tennessee found their rhythm, shooting 52.2% from the field and putting up 38 points. The Panthers struggled to keep up with the Blue Raiders' offense, ultimately falling to MTSU for the second time this season.

FIU dominated in the paint, scoring 24 points, and outpaced MTSU in steals, 11-9. The Panthers also out-rebounded the Blue Raiders, 30-25, including grabbing 15 offensive rebounds to MTSU's 9, resulting in 13 second-chance points.

UP NEXT
FIU is now locked into the six-seed in the conference tournament, and will await their matchup as the regular season dwindles down across CUSA.

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