Ginevra Gil | Staff Writer
Following their unbeaten run to win the FIU Thanksgiving Classic, women’s basketball look to push the momentum into the following home game.
The Panthers will face Georgia State University on Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m..
Georgia State are currently 4-4, with a 1-3 away record.
The matchup is largely even, with Georgia State holding a small advantage in three-point shooting (29% to FIU’s 26%) and scoring slightly more per game, averaging 72.6 to FIU’s 69.5.
When asked how The Panthers are going to use the result of their Thanksgiving Classic win to prepare for the upcoming match, head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley said, “Sacking these two wins and winning the tournament is a great way to catch momentum going into December. Definitely a lot of rest. I think they did a great job giving me everything they could. So a lot of rest, recalibrate, and clean up some of the things we have been unfortunate of doing these next three days to go get another great home win on Friday.”
On their journey to winning the FIU Thanksgiving Classic, The Panthers first faced UMBC in what was a 86-76 comeback win.
The game had a frustrating start. In the first quarter no shots were able to drop and FIU finished the quarter shooting 26% from the field.
Heading into the second quarter down 19-10, the period unfolded much like the first, with UMBC stretching the lead to 13. Despite FIU’s offensive struggles, the defense held firm.
“Keep shooting.” said head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley. “It wasn’t like we were taking bad shots, we just weren’t making shots, that’s all you can control for the most part. I told them to keep sharing the ball, keep finding each other.” UMBC’s six turnovers in the period allowed FIU to chip away at the deficit. By halftime, The Panthers trimmed the margin to 2.
Momentum was now firmly on FIU’s side. Freshman Grecia Ferrer Leal tied the game and sparked the run, with senior Parris Atkins following suit and pushing The Panthers ahead, extending the lead to 8.
Now with the lead, The Panthers never looked back. FIU finished the quarter shooting 71% from the field, 60% from three-point range, and 100% from the free-throw line.
Steady play in the fourth ensured The Panthers a trip to the next round of the Thanksgiving Classic.
FIU would now meet Seattle, fresh off a win against Presbyterian, for the Thanksgiving Classic title.
Evenly matched, the two teams had just only a single point separating them going into the half.
The Panthers would finally find the upperhand in the third. Parris Atkins forced the lead by recording 8 points and forcing 4 steals. Atkins went on to finish the game recording 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 steals. “P. (referencing to Atkins) is all you can ask for in a senior, she plays so hard on both sides of the ball, that’s a reflection of your culture right there. When your best player plays that hard it’s a trickle effect now. Having her take such a stand on both sides of the ball, elevates everyone else’s game around her.” says head coach Burks-Wiley.
Elevate, she did. The Panthers went on to win the game 64-59 to win the FIU Thanksgiving Classic.
The results in the next coming of weeks will give The Panthers much needed momentum before facing conference opponents in January 2026.
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