FIU schools Louisiana Tech, beating the Techsters 57-54

2017 November 26 - FIU's Kayla Rogers (5). Florida International University defeated Charleston Southern, 77-70, at Ocean Bank Convocation Center, Miami, Florida. (Photo by: Alex J. Hernandez / photobokeh.com) This image is copyright by PhotoBokeh.com and may not be reproduced or retransmitted without express written consent of PhotoBokeh.com. ©2017 PhotoBokeh.com - All Rights Reserved

By Cristhian Plasencia/Asst. Sports Director

 

On Education Day with 2,151 children screaming from the top of their lungs, the FIU women’s basketball team (6-12) defeated Louisiana Tech, 57-54.

The Panthers grabbed their first school victory over the Techsters, and snapped Tech’s 11-0 all-time record against FIU. Louisiana Tech (12-6) came in with a record conference record of 3-1.

The first quarter lacked fluidity in scoring offense by both teams. Sophomore guard Kayla Rogers scored the first basket at the 09:18 mark. The next basket wouldn’t come until Techster’s Taylor Stahly drained a three pointer with 5:16 left.

Late in the fourth quarter, FIU had a lopsided 12-0 run, solely scored by Redshirt junior Kiandre’a Pound. Pound totaled 19 points, eight rebounds and shot a staggering 57 percent from the field.

“KP is playing lights-out right now,” said junior guard Kristian Hudson. “So let’s give it back to her on the defensive end and keep feeding her offensively.”

“When KP is able to get going, it now takes pressure off of Kris,” Coach Tiara Malcom said. “We always tell KP: go and get some easy buckets and see if you can run off of transition.”

The Panther’s performance displayed just what Coach Malcom ordered. FIU scored 28 points from the point, and 10 of those points scored on fast breaks.

“Q [Quira Demery] did a good job coming off the bench, walker had get herself going into the game, but she even gave us some really good minutes,” said Coach Malcom.

FIU held LA Tech to 23 percent from three-point range. FIU’s last five wins have all come when holding the opponent to a 23 percent mark or worse.

“We play [defense] as the aggressor, we want to dictate the tempo in defense the easier we get stops the quicker we get rebounds, and we can get down the court,” said Hudson.

Under two minutes, Hudson and Roger Kayla sealed the game with aggressive rebounding and drawing contact in the lane. 10 seconds left, Hudson knocked down two free throws, giving FIU a 56-54 lead.

The Panthers have won back-to-back games for the first time this season and have won their last three home games. FIU beat two teams that were in the top four of the conference. Also, surpass their five wins last season with an overall record of 6-12, 3-2 in Conference USA.

FIU will cap their three-game home stand at Ocean Bank Convocation Center when they host second place UAB (15-3) on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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