HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Two-seeded Women's basketball (20-10, 12-6 CUSA) matches up against six-seeded Missouri State in the semifinals of the 2026 CUSA Women's Basketball Championships on Friday, March 13 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Friday, March 13 vs Missouri State

• Time/Site: 9 p.m. ET / Propst Arena

• Series History: Missouri State leads, 4-0

The Inbound

The Panthers are coming off their first win in the CUSA tournament since the 2021-22 season, beating Jacksonville State, 76-66. Parris Atkins was a star in the contest, pacing the Panthers with 23 points, five rebounds and one steal.

Judit Valero and Grecia Ferrer Leal also were bright spots for FIU, with the Spanish duo combining for 29 points on the day (Valero with 16 and Ferrer with 13). 

CUSA Leaders:

OFFENSIVE

Scoring:

Rhema Collins, T-2nd - 16.9 ppg

Parris Atkins, T-2nd - 16.9 ppg

Rebounding:

Rhema Collins, 3rd - 9.0 rpg

Field Goal %:

Rhema Collins, 4th - 44.8%

Free-Throw %:

Parris Atkins, 4th - 79.3%

Rhema Collins, 8th - 72.2%

Assists:

Grecia Ferrer, 6th - 3.7 apg

Total Assists:

Grecia Ferrer, 3rd - 111

DEFENSIVE

Blocks:

Rhema Collins, 1st - 1.6 bpg

Steals:

Parris Atkins, 2nd - 2.9 spg

Rhema Collins, 7th - 2.0

Notable Storylines

- With the victory over Jacksonville State, FIU advanced to their first CUSA semifinal berth since its first season in Conference USA in the 2013-14 season.

- A semifinals win would see the Panthers in their respective conference tournament championship for the first time since 2002, when FIU won the Sun Belt tournament and made their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance.

- Parris Atkins' 23 points in FIU's quarterfinals matchup ties the fifth most points scored by a Panther in the CUSA tournament in program history. 

- 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 at the conclusion of the regular season, 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 campaign third in the conference in scoring (16.7) and second in steals per game (2.9). 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 13 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 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 on the season.

Series History

The Panthers came into the season going 0-2 against Missouri State in their history. Now in Conference USA, the Bears kept their undefeated streak alive against FIU, going 2-0 against the Panthers in their inaugural CUSA campaign.

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.