Ginevra Gil | Staff Writer

Following a statement-winning two-game stretch, women’s basketball will carry its winning momentum on the road as Conference USA play intensifies.

The FIU Panthers (14-8, 7-4 CUSA) will face league leader Louisiana Tech (17-5, 10-1 CUSA) on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m., before traveling to Sam Houston (14-7, 7-3 CUSA) for a Saturday matchup at 2 p.m. 

With teams seeing familiar opponents during the latter stages of conference play, rematches have taken on added significance. For FIU, the most notable comes against Louisiana Tech, who handed the Panthers arguably their toughest defeats of the season, a 74-59 loss on Jan. 24. 

“I think now going to their place, we’ve got a really great win here, we’ve gotta carry that grit into the second half of the season,” head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley said following FIU’s most recent game. “It’s not like we haven’t won there before. Our kids have to remember that we’ve done tough things well before, we gotta make sure to go in there and have that same mentality.” 

Rhema Collins vs Western Kentucky | Photo by Keslyne Gedeon | PantherNOW

Before beginning the road trip, the Panthers faced Western Kentucky in its first home contest ahead of Thursday’s rematch with Louisiana Tech. 

Intensity ran through both teams, with neither side able to build a lead greater than four points through the final three minutes of the first quarter. FIU capitalized on second-chance opportunities early, scoring seven points off offensive rebounds, and closed the period on a 7-0 run to take a 24-17 advantage. 

The Panthers continued to build momentum in the second quarter behind Judit Valero, who knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to extend FIU’s lead to 12. Valero went a perfect 4-for-4 from the field in the quarter, scoring nine of her 14 points in the game. 

FIU maintained its intensity through the remainder of the game, shooting 11-22 from beyond the arc and a perfect 100 percent from the free-throw line. 

Defensively, FIU remained disruptive, forcing 21 turnovers while committing just eight of its own. 

Alongside Valero, Parris Atkins led all scorers with 18 points and added four rebounds. Rhema Collins recorded her eleventh double-double with 16 points with 13 rebounds, while Adama Badjie Coly contributed her second double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. 

Parris Atkins and Adama Badjie Coly vs Middle Tennessee | Photo by Sophie Chebli | PantherNOW

“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Burks-Wiley said in a postgame interview. “As crazy as it may sound, even with the second round still coming, I still don’t think we’re playing our best basketball. I think our kids are turning in the right direction.” 

With one win secured, the Panthers next faced Middle Tennessee, which entered the matchup ahead of FIU in the Conference USA standings at 7-3, compared to FIU’s 6-4.  

The two teams again battled through an evenly contested first quarter, with FIU holding a two-possession advantage early. 

Momentum shifted in the second quarter, as Middle Tennessee’s defensive pressure disrupted FIU’s rhythm. The Panthers were limited to 10 points in the period, allowing Middle Tennessee to take a 10-point lead into halftime. 

Despite FIU’s efforts to close the gap by attacking the paint and drawing fouls, Middle Tennessee held firm and extended their lead to 14. 

The deficit did not discourage the Panthers, who leaned on their defensive identity to shift momentum. After forcing four consecutive turnovers, FIU trimmed the visitors’ lead from 14 down to a single possession. 

With momentum fully on their side, freshman Grecia Ferrer Leal drilled a three-pointer in the final 20 seconds of the third quarter to tie the game at 45. Ferrer Leal finished the night with 13 points and eight rebounds, delivering a standout performance for the young player.  

FIU women’s basketball huddle vs Western Kentucky | Photo by Keslyne Gedeon | PantherNOW

“I’m just really proud of her,” Burks-Wiley said of Ferrer Leal. “If there was ever a moment where we really needed her, she gave us that extra gear. She’s always been a great defender for us, but tonight it was next level. I’m challenging our conference that if this kid doesn’t make all-defensive team, then you haven’t been watching a lot of games, because what that kid does may not show up on the stat line, but you’re not going to have many point guards in our league that want to face her let alone Parris, and that kid is 18. For her to give that performance on both sides of the ball, I’m incredibly proud of her.” 

The fourth quarter remained a one-possession battle, with both teams trading brief leads and scoring opportunities. 

With less than two minutes remaining, the game was still within reach for either side, as the score stood tied at 56-56. 

FIU ultimately secured the victory at the free-throw line, completing a 14-point comeback to earn a 60-58 win. 

Atkins and Collins each scored 15 points, joining Ferrer Leal in double figures. 

The wins continue a stretch of steady progress for FIU as conference play moves into its second half. 

Prediction:

Louisiana Tech: 68

FIU: 71

Sam Houston: 62

FIU: 68

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