Ginevra Gil | Staff Writer
Coming off two home contests against conference opponents Sam Houston State University and Louisiana Tech, the Panthers take to the road aiming to bounce back.
The FIU Panthers (11-7, 4-3 CUSA) will face Liberty (9-9, 3-4 CUSA) on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m..
Their last matchup against the Flames saw a 73-57 Panther defeat on Feb. 22,2025.
Despite the relatively recent matchup, the Burks-Wiley-led team has since undergone a transformation, with leaders such as Parris Atkins, who is averaging 17.6 ppg and Rhema Collins who is producing 18.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.
In the opener of their two-game home stretch against Sam Houston, FIU dominated early, building a nine-point lead in the first quarter.
The Panthers’ advantage did not last long, as Sam Houston responded in the second quarter by dominating the boards and scoring on second-chance opportunities. The visitors’ intensity gave them a 31-28 lead at halftime.
The third quarter featured balanced defense from the Panthers, holding Sam Houston to just enough points to keep the deficit at a single possession. Trailing by one, FIU regained the lead on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Atkins, taking a two-point advantage.
Well into the fourth quarter, a clear winner had yet to emerge. With 30 seconds remaining, Sam Houston cut FIU’s lead to two, forcing the Panthers to call a timeout. “Calm down. Take care of the ball and play defense. Moments boil down to that. Time is on our side. “ said Head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley during the timeout.
The Panthers were able to follow through on the free-throw line and stretch the lead to six, securing a 66-60 victory.
FIU’s balanced effort saw three Panthers score in double digits. Atkins led with 14 points and five rebounds, Denika Lightbourne added 11 and seven rebounds, and Adama Badjie Coly contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
Riding a four-game winning streak, the Panthers now prepared to face top-seeded Louisiana Tech.
A 15-4 early run set the tone for the visitors, quickly asserting their top-seed status. Despite the fast start, FIU remained competitive, keeping the quarter close with a 19-12 performance heading into the second.
With Louisiana Tech crowding the paint, FIU was forced to rely on three pointers, a challenge they met by shooting 75 percent from beyond the arc. The Panthers began to dictate the pace, forcing the top-seeded Bulldogs to rely on perimeter shots.
The strategy proved effective, as Louisiana Tech went 0-for-6 from three in the quarter. FIU’s approach helped them trim the deficit to one, entering halftime trailing 35-32.
After the break, the visitors seized control. With FIU’s efforts nullified, the Bulldogs were able to outscore the Panthers 20-9 in the third and ultimately seal the game, 74-59 in the fourth.
With two road games looming, the Panthers will aim to get back in winning form as the season continues to take shape.
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