Second half surge propels FIU

By Steven Rowell/Staff Writer

Fueled by senior guard Jerica Coley, the Panthers made a surge midway through the second half to pull away from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers 63-52 to improve to 9-10 on the season.

It was the first time FIU won at UAB and the first victory over the Blazers since 1992.

After trailing 35-30 with 16:21 left in the second half, Coley helped FIU chip away from the deficit before taking the lead for good with a three-pointer by Coley at the 12:39 mark to go up 40-37. FIU increased their lead to as much as 13 points before coming out with the 11 point victory.

The first half saw the largest lead being six points by UAB at 11:20 mark before going into the break leading FIU 29-28. The Blazers scored six quick points to start the second half before FIU went on the decisive run.

FIU won despite of not holding the edge in shooting percentage and points in the paint. For the game, FIU scored 26 points in the paint while UAB totaled 34. FIU shot 31.1% compared to 35.2% for UAB, but the Panthers got the best of UAB from three-point land going 6-17 as UAB went 0-9.

Coley finished with 38 points on 12-35 shooting including 5-9 from beyond the arc. This marks the first time since 2010 a player has scored 30 points against UAB.  Junior forward Tynia McKinzie posted yet another double-double with 10 points and a career high of 19 rebounds.

Coley now leads the nation in scoring, averaging a career-high 30 points per game.

Leading the way for the Blazers was senior forward Karisma Chapman with 23 points along with 10 rebounds and sophomore forward Kayla Anderson with 15 points.

Next up for FIU will be their second and final matchup of the season with the Owls of FAU on Saturday Feb. 1 at the Lime Court. FIU won their earlier matchup in Boca Raton, Fla. on Jan. 15 96-88. Tip-off is set for 6 pm.