By: Rico Albarracin / Asst. Sports Director
The Golden Panthers came away with their first Sun Belt conference sweep of the season, coming against their cross-town rival.
FIU cruised to a 100-64 victory against their South Florida rival Florida Atlantic. The win gave the Golden Panthers their second consecutive sweep of the Owls, after suffering a sweep to FAU in the 2008-09 season. It was the first time since 1998 that the Golden Panthers had scored 100 points in a game.
“The team played great. I couldn’t be prouder of the team,” Coach Cindy Russo said.
FIU was led by freshman Jerica Coley, who led all scorers with 21 points, and senior Michelle Gonzalez, who added 21 points and 6 assists. Rakia Rodgers made her return to the hardwood and her presence was felt, as she had a 21-point, 8-rebound effort.
“She’s our energy player. She yells, she screams. She gives us that boost that we need,” Coley said.
The Golden Panthers got off to a hot start, jumping out to a 10-4 lead over the Owls. The contributions from different players like Fanni Hutlassa, Jerica Coley, and Finda Mansare kick started the offense for FIU.
At the 13:59 mark in the first half, Rakia Rodgers checked into the game for the first time. It was the first time Rodgers had played since Jan 22, when she sustained an injury to her left ankle. Rodgers would help the Golden Panther’s momentum, giving FIU a 23-10 lead with 11:16 left in the first.
FIU would show no signs of slowing down, building up to 41-19 lead. FAU struggled to put up good shots, consistently running into FIU’s smothering defense. The Golden Panthers put pressure on the Owls with double-teams and smothering defense.
The biggest issue for the Owls was containing the Golden Panthers from beyond the arc, with FIU shooting 7-11 from the three point area. The Golden Panthers would continue to maintain a stranglehold on the game, going into halftime with a 51-25 lead.
FIU would begin the second half the same way they started the first. Fanni Hutlassa put herself into position to score two baskets minutes into the half, adding to the Golden Panthers lead. The Owls would begin to exercise a full-court press to put pressure on FIU.
It would prove to be effective until the Golden Panthers used the passing game to break through the Owl press. FAU kept up with the pace of FIU, as both teams traded baskets for the next few minutes. With 7:35 left in the game, Carmen Miloglav took a spill into the scorers table. Although she quickly picked herself off the ground, it was evident that she was playing in pain. Miloglav would get the rest she needed while FIU maintain a large lead.
The Golden Panthers reached an 84-53 lead with 3:58 left in the game, at which point FIU intensified their defense with the possibility of scoring 100 points. With 22 seconds left, and a 97-64 lead, Rodgers pulled up for a three-point shot to put the Golden Panthers over the century mark. As the final seconds ticked off, the crowd gave FIU a standing ovation.
“It was our defense. If we just traded baskets, then the score could go 300 to 300. I gave the credit to the defense,” Rodgers said. “We have never talked so much on defense.”
FIU is currently in third place in the East division of the Sun Belt conference. The Golden Panthers have a chance to overtake Western Kentucky for second place when FIU travels to Bowling Green to take on WKU on Feb 23. With the season drawing to a close, the team feels confident going into the SBC tournament.
“I certainly feel great about our chances. If we continue to play like this, we can win in the tournament,” Russo said.
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