Ginevra Gil | Staff Writer
Following a dominant home showing against conference opponents, the FIU Panthers will remain on the road for the last three games of the 2025-26 regular season.
The Panthers (17-19, 10-5 CUSA) will face the Missouri State Lady Bears (16-11, 8-6 CUSA) on Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Missouri State was FIU’s first conference opponent of the season and handed the Panthers an 80-69 loss on Jan. 4. Since then, FIU has found its rhythm, winning key matchups to climb second in the conference standings.
“Kudos to Missouri State. I think they caught us at a perfect time in our growing process,” said head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley in a postgame interview.
She added, “I think we’ve learned a lot since then, so I’m excited to go to their place and play a really tough team. Missouri is going to make us earn one at their place, so I’m excited to get another test.”
Ahead of the upcoming road games, the Panthers hosted the Delaware Blue Hens in an early 11 a.m. matchup.
Intensity was apparent on both ends of the floor, with FIU finding an early offensive rhythm. The Panthers produced control midway through the first half and carried a 25-19 lead into the break after an evenly contested opening two quarters.
The turning point came in the third quarter.
Capitalizing on Delaware’s miscues, the Panthers forced turnovers while also creating scoring opportunities to widen the gap. The team produced 10 points off turnovers while holding Delaware scoreless in that area.
FIU pushed their lead to 20 points while limiting the Blue Hens to just four points in the quarter.
The Panthers maintained the momentum into the fourth, shooting 50 percent from three-point range and ultimately closing out the morning matchup with a decisive 62-36 victory.
Junior Rhema Collins contributed 20 points and eight rebounds, while Parris Atkins scored 17 points and ten rebounds, and Adama Badjie Coly produced 10 points and eight rebounds.
FIU carried their momentum into their next matchup against the Liberty Lady Flames.
Going on a 24-0 run, the Panthers delivered an explosive stretch. Despite the hot start, FIU’s offense cooled slightly, but its defense remained solid.
Liberty chipped away in the third quarter, slowly cutting the deficit to nine. However, tough defense and efforts from Collins saw the Panthers maintain the lead, scoring seven of her total 16 total points.
“It’s huge,” said Burks-Wiley, “that’s something we’ve been talking about for the last month and a half. As you get deeper into the season your offense gets better, but your legs usually get heavier. With our kids establishing our identity and drawing lines in the sand, I’m really proud of them.”
The Panthers soon responded with a dominant fourth quarter to seal the 66-45 victory.
Alongside Collins, Atkins produced 25 points with five assists.
Though the Panthers have wrapped up its home slate, “the season is still not done,” said Burks-Wiley. “This might be our last home game, but the job’s not done. Even if we can’t have the fortune of playing at Ocean Bank Convocation Center (OBCC), you have to make every gym home with your offense and your defense. The way our defense is really starting to take off, I’m feeling confident going into this next stretch.”
As FIU heads into the final stretch of the regular season, its performances from home provide both confidence and momentum as they begin to turn their attention to the CUSA Championship.
Prediction:
FIU: 71
Missouri State: 67
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