John Weaver | PanterNOW
Last week, the Panthers Women’s Basketball team went down in a thriller against UTEP, losing 68-70 in the final seconds.
It was a hard-fought battle that ultimately ended in an unfortunate breakdown in the second half. In the first two quarters, viewers watched as the Panthers dominated UTEP 40-29. Unfortunately, they collapsed during the second half, being outscored 28-41.
Analyzing the box score, one predominant issue stands out: free-throw shooting. FIU players went to the line 18 times but made only 11 of their attempts, resulting in a 61% free-throw shooting percentage.
In comparison, UTEP converted 13 of their 16 free-throw attempts, an impressive 81%. This stark difference clearly contributed to the outcome. Additionally, another factor was the team’s unusually low field goal percentage.
Throughout the season, the Panthers have led Conference USA in field goal percentage.
However, in this game, four players shot less than 33% from the field, which significantly hampered the team’s offensive efficiency.
Looking ahead, FIU faces a tough matchup against Liberty University’s Flames.
Liberty currently sits at the top of C-USA, making this an uphill battle for the Panthers. Liberty boasts one of the top offenses in the nation, averaging an astonishing 73 points per game.
However, their defense has been less formidable, allowing an average of 67 points per game. This sets the stage for a fast-paced and high-scoring game on Saturday.
Interestingly, FIU managed to defeat Liberty last season at home, winning 70-59 late in the year. However, that Liberty team finished the season with an 18-16 record, far less impressive than their current 12-5 standing.
With FIU holding a 7-10 record, this year’s matchup looks more challenging. Nevertheless, if FIU can disrupt Liberty’s offensive rhythm, the pieces could fall into place for an upset.
Key players to watch for FIU include junior guard Parris Atkins.
Atkins has been a standout performer, leading the team in both points (14.5 per game) and steals (2.5 per game). She will be crucial in this game, as her offensive pressure and defensive tenacity could keep Liberty from controlling the tempo.
Another critical contributor is junior guard Angena Belloso. While Belloso plays fewer minutes than Atkins, she has been the team’s assist leader, averaging 2.7 per game. If Belloso can help keep the ball moving, FIU might be able to capitalize on Liberty’s relatively weak defense.
On the other side, Liberty has several key players FIU will need to contain. While Liberty distributes the ball evenly, three players stand out offensively: Bella Smuda, Emma Hess, and Asia Boone, all of whom average double digits in scoring.
Senior Bella Smuda leads Liberty with 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. At 6’6”, Smuda is also a dominant shot-blocker, accounting for nearly half of her team’s blocks. FIU will rely on their own size, including 6’4” Isnelle Natabou, to mitigate Smuda’s impact. However, the height difference remains significant.
Despite Liberty’s size and offensive firepower, FIU has the tools to overcome the Flames with the right strategy and execution.