MIAMI – Women's basketball (15-9, 8-5 CUSA) prevailed in a close contest over Sam Houston (15-8, 8-4 CUSA) on Saturday afternoon, 67-65, completing the season sweep over the Bearkats.
A very tight contest throughout the game, the Panthers shot the ball well, shooting 54.3% from the field, proving to be their best shot-making game of conference-play.
FIU ended the first quarter with a 14-12 lead, but would go into the half down 37-34. The Panthers' defense came up big in the second half, allowing just 28 points in the final 20 minutes, out-scoring the Bearkats by five in the last two quarters.
Panthers standout Rhema Collins dominated, ending with 24 points on 9-15 shooting. The junior was a force on defense as well, swatting a career-high four blocks and coming away with two steals, her last steal sealing the win with 16 seconds left in the game and the Panthers up just one point.
Adama Badjie Coly was FIU's second leading scorer with 13 points, shooting an efficient 6-8 from the field and adding on seven rebounds, taking away two steals.
Fantasia James ended as FIU's final double-digit scorer, putting up 11 points on 5-6 shooting, grabbing five rebounds and swatting one block to round out her afternoon.
FIU's second-leading scorer on the season, Parris Atkins, scored nine points on the day, but was a force as a facilitator, dishing out a career-high nine assists while blocking one shot and taking away two steals.
The win puts the Panthers in prime position in the CUSA standings, currently in fourth place and just half a game back of the second spot in the conference.
The Panthers have had the Bearkats number since they joined CUSA two seasons ago, with their all-time record now 5-1 against Sam Houston.
UP NEXT
FIU will return to the Ocean Bank Convocation Center next week when they take on Delaware and Liberty on February 19 and 21, respectively.
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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