HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - No. 2 Women's basketball (19-10, 12-6 CUSA) will take on No. 7 Jacksonville State in the quarterfinals of the 2026 CUSA Women's Basketball Championships on Wednesday, March 11 at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Wednesday, March 11 vs Jacksonville State
The Inbound
The Panthers are coming off a perfect final road trip of the regular season, completing season sweeps of both Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky. The Panthers won five of their final six games of the regular season, en route to 12 wins in CUSA-play, the most in program history since joining the conference in the 2013-14 season.
The two-seed is also the highest seed FIU has ever had heading into the CUSA tournament, beating their previous high of the three-seed from two seasons ago.
CUSA Leaders:
OFFENSIVE
Scoring:
Rhema Collins, 2nd - 17.2 ppg
Parris Atkins, 3rd - 16.7 ppg
Rebounding:
Rhema Collins, 3rd - 9.0 rpg
Field Goal %:
Rhema Collins, 4th - 45.5%
Free-Throw %:
Parris Atkins, 4th - 77.6%
Rhema Collins, 7th - 72.6%
Assists:
Grecia Ferrer Leal, 5th - 3.7 apg
Total Assists:
Grecia Ferrer Leal, 2nd - 107
DEFENSIVE
Blocks:
Rhema Collins, 1st - 1.6 bpg
Steals:
Parris Atkins, 2nd - 2.9 spg
Rhema Collins, 7th - 2.1
Notable Storylines
- Rhema Collins was awarded CUSA Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year after her performance this season. The junior was top-five in several categories including scoring (17.2 ppg, second), rebounding (9.0, third), double-doubles (13, first) and blocks (1.6, first). She is the first CUSA Player of the Year in program history, and the first conference player of the year for FIU since 2013. Collins was also placed on the All-CUSA First Team and CUSA All-Defensive Team.
- Parris Atkins shined this season, ending the season third in the conference in scoring (16.7) and second in steals per game (1.6). The senior was honored to First Team All-CUSA and the CUSA All-Defensive Team.
- Judit Valero has been a steady third scorer for FIU, putting up 10 or more points in 12 games this season, including a career-high 19 points in a double-overtime victory at Middle Tennessee the second to last game of the season.
- Grecia Ferrer Leal has been one of conference's best freshmen, ending the regular season fifth in all of CUSA and top-15 in the nation among freshmen in assists per game with 3.7 per contest. The Spain native was also just one of three players in CUSA to end the regular season with over 100 assists in the campaign.
Series History
The Panthers dropped their lone game to the Gamecocks this season, but have been successful against Jacksonville State in their history. Coming into the game, FIU is 9-3 all time against Jax State.
TICKETS
For more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@fiuwbb), Twitter (@FIUWBB), and Facebook (@FIUWBasketball) for all the latest Women's Basketball news. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSportson Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
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