HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – No. 2 Women's basketball (20-10, 12-6 CUSA) comes out victorious in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Conference USA Women's Basketball Tournament, beating No. 7 Jacksonville State (16-16, 9-9 CUSA), 76-66.
The win marked the first victory in the CUSA Tournament for the Panthers since the 2021-22 season, and the seventh win all-time in the tournament.
A hard-fought first half saw FIU trailing into the break, 35-32.
Seven Panthers saw points scored in the first half, with Grecia Ferrer Leal ending the first half with five points. The freshman ended the game tying a career-high with 13 points on 4-8 shooting, with the FIU facilitator adding on four assists.
The second half started as the first half ended, with the Panthers and Gamecocks trading baskets back-and-forth, tying the game at 42 with 3:23 left in the penultimate quarter. FIU used an 11-0 run from 3:23-0:42 to separate from Jacksonville State, and would not give back the lead for the rest of the contest.
Parris Atkins' offensive explosion sparked the win, with the senior ending the contest with 23 points and sinking 9-10 free-throws. The All-CUSA First Team selection added on five rebounds, four assists and one steal to round out her dynamic performance.
Judit Valero was the last Panther in double-figures, putting up 16 points on an efficient 6-8 shooting, going 2-2 from three as well as 2-2 from the free-throw line.
The Panthers forced 22 turnovers, generating 24 points off those turnovers, also dominating with 42 points in the paint to the Gamecock's 30.
The semifinals berth ties the farthest FIU has ever made it in the Conference USA championships, making it the semifinals in their first season in the conference in 2013-14.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will play the winner of No. 3 Middle Tennessee and No. 6 Missouri State on Friday, March 13 at 9 p.m. ET.
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 @FIUAthletics on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
