FIU Women’s Basketball Sweeps Roadrunners, Move-Up in Conference

Richard Gibson / Sports Director

The FIU Women’s Basketball Team took care of business in Texas this past weekend, sweeping the UTSA Roadrunners by scores of 72-60 and 107-103 in triple overtime. 

FIU had not played a game prior to this doubleheader since January 23rd against the Marshall Thundering Herd. Their previous series against the Charlotte 49ers was postponed to an unknown time due to COVID-19 concerns within the Panthers.

For the Panthers, the pair of wins bump up their record to 9-7, with a 6-4 record in Conference USA. This moves them up to third place in the C-USA Easter Division out of seven teams, behind Charlotte and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

Game one of the doubleheader began with a hot start from the Panthers, as they took the lead early and only add to it. In a few instances, UTSA tied up the game, but FIU never gave up the lead to the Roadrunners throughout the game.

At the end of the first quarter, FIU led 15-13, and extended their lead to 32-26 at halftime. The Panthers began to rally early in the third quarter, but a late push by UTSA narrowed their lead. However, FIU pulled away at the end of the third and the rest of the fourth quarter, sealing the game with a 72-60 win. 

Four different players for FIU scored in the double digits: Guards Jiselle Thomas and Fujika Nimmo scored 18 and 17 points respectively. Forward Alma Danielsson added in 14 points of her own, and forward Emerald Ekpiteta earned another double-double, earning 15 points and 11 rebounds. 

Game two of the doubleheader began with an offensive shot by UTSA, with a dominant 17-8 lead in the first quarter. FIU, however, kept their cool and clawed their way back into the game, but the Roadrunners wouldn’t let up, taking the game into halftime with a 35-24 lead.

It would take a layup by Nimmo late in the third quarter to give FIU their first lead of the game since the beginning of the first quarter. The Panthers grew their lead heading into the fourth quarter, but UTSA turned the game around, tying the game at 80 each. Neither team could score the game-winning shot, however, and game two went into overtime.

In overtime, both teams exchanged leads on the scoreboard, tying the game once more at 90 each. FIU had the ball at the end of the game, but a layup by guard Emily Atsinger was blocked, and the game was sent into double overtime. 

The game played out exactly the same in the second overtime. UTSA took the lead in the beginning, but a late push by FIU tied the game at 97 each. The Panthers had an opportunity to score the game-winning shot, but turned the ball over as the clock ran out. 

With the game now in triple overtime, either team needed an answer that could actually seal the game. For FIU, it was forward Alexus Wykoff, who scored the last three points of the game for the Panthers, including a free throw to ice the game. After three overtimes of work, the Panthers took down the Roadrunners by a score of 107-103. 

The Panthers made history in game two of the series. FIU’s 107 points marked the first time the team has scored over 100 points in a game since their 2010 season. Nimmo’s 28 points are the most points scored in a single game by a Panther since 2017. Most importantly, FIU’s nine wins are the most wins they’ve had in a single season since 2013. 

FIU will look to continue their record-setting season at home against the Texas-El Paso Miners on Friday, February 12th at 7 pm and Saturday, February 13th at 2 pm.