Ginevra Gil | Staff Writer
Following their exit from the Conference USA Championship, women’s basketball will shift its focus to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
The FIU Panthers are set to host Stetson in the opening round on March 20, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
FIU clinched a WNIT berth after finishing as the No.2 seed in CUSA with a 12-6 league record, marking the program’s best conference finish since joining the league.
Much of that success has been driven by standout guard Rhema Collins. Collins was named Conference USA Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, while also earning First Team All-CUSA and All-Defensive Team Honors. Her two-way impact has been central to FIU’s rise.
Guard Parris Atkins also delivered an all-conference season, collecting First Team All-CUSA and All-Defensive Team recognition. She elevated her performance in the conference tournament, averaging 23.5 points, six rebounds, and three steals per game over two outings.
Atkins’ efforts earned her a place on the CUSA All-Tournament Team, making her the first player in program history to receive the honor.
FIU now turns its attention to the WNIT, where they will make their ninth appearance.
The Panthers hold a 6-9 all-time record in the event and are returning for the second time in three seasons after going 1-1 last year.
The opening-round matchup brings a familiar opponent in Stetson. The Panthers have historically dominated the series, owning a 30-4 record.
The teams also met twice before in WNIT play, with FIU winning both contests.
With a proven core and recent postseason experience, the Panthers enter the WNIT looking to extend both its season and long-standing success against Stetson.
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