Box Score BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Women's basketball (19-10, 12-6 CUSA) defeats Western Kentucky (8-21, 4-14 CUSA), 64-60, and wins their twelfth game of CUSA-play this season, marking the most conference wins in program history since joining CUSA.
Western Kentucky started out strong, leading after the first quarter, 14-13.
The Panthers' offense came up big in the second quarter, putting up 19 points and holding WKU to just 11 in the frame before the half. Judit Valero was a scoring focal point, putting up eight points in the quarter and 15 points in the contest. The sharpshooting junior went 5-8 from the field, including 3-6 from three, adding on three rebounds and two assists.
Despite FIU going into the half up 32-25, Western Kentucky kept battling, winning the third quarter 18-17.
The Hilltoppers continued to fight and cut the Panther lead down to just two with just 38 seconds left in the game, but a clutch Rhema Collins bucket put the Panthers up four with 18 seconds remaining, putting the game out of reach for WKU.
Rhema Collins was an all-around talent in the contest, putting up 12 points while grabbing 12 rebounds, her 13th double-double of the season. The junior added on an assist and two steals to round out her afternoon.
Parris Atkins was the Panthers' final double-digit scorer, as well as their highest scorer. The standout senior put up 22 points on 8-16 shooting, also grabbing seven rebounds in the contest. The defensive star also took away three steals and dished out two assists in the FIU victory.
The Panthers end the day and the regular season in second place in the CUSA standings, with official CUSA bracket information to be released tonight.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will play in the quarterfinals of the CUSA Basketball Tournament at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama on Wednesday, March 11 at 3 p.m. ET. Their matchup is yet to be determined, with FIU playing the winner of the 7/10 game.
TICKETS
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