Ginevra Gil | Staff Writer
Following an overtime victory against Stetson in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, women’s basketball is heading to the second round.
The FIU Panthers will face Abilene Christian on March 24, at 7 p.m.
A familiar matchup for the Panthers who have faced the Wildcats three times prior, with their most recent matchup ending in a 87-67 Panther loss on December 1, 2024.
Despite that result, FIU enters the contest with renewed momentum, fielding a team that looks markedly different from the one that faced Abilene Christian seasons prior.
The renewed momentum can be credited to their win against Stetson.
The game got off to a fast start for Stetson, as they went on an early 8-0 run. The Hatters began building on the lead with rebounds playing a key role in their advantage.
Gradually, FIU found its footing and started to chip away at Stetson’s lead, staying within striking distance as the game progressed.
A layup in the paint by Rhema Collins tied the game at 14, capping an 8-0 run for the Panthers.
The Panthers carried their momentum into the second quarter, opening with a 6-0 run. FIU’s defense was pivotal in creating that gap, forcing five turnovers in the period and extending the lead to as much as 10 points.
Stetson stayed resilient, quickly responding with a small run of their own. A last-second jumper by the Hatters tied the game at 30-30 heading into halftime.
The third quarter remained an even battle, with both teams trading shots. FIU had put together a brief run, but Stetson responded. Heading into the fourth, Stetson held a slim one-point advantage.
The tight contest continued into the final quarter. With one minute remaining, the score was tied at 58. A basket in the paint gave Stetson the lead with 30 seconds left.
Free throws extended the Hatters’ lead to five, prompting an FIU timeout. Collins answered with a quick basket, cutting the deficit to three.
With just five seconds on the clock, Stetson inbounded the ball, but Collins forced a turnover and then drained a three-pointer to send the game into overtime. She finished the quarter with nine of her 24 points, along with 10 rebounds and four steals.
As overtime got underway, both teams knew the intensity they had to bring. Points continued to flow from both sides, but it was Grecia Ferrer Leal’s layup in the paint that gave FIU a crucial two-point lead. Leal went on to finish the game with 12 points and seven assists.Collins then sealed the victory with a free throw, sealing the 76-73 Panther victory.
Alongside Collins and Leal, two other Panthers finished in double figures: Judit Valero and Parris Atkins both recorded 13 points and four rebounds.
FIU’s hard-fought victory over Stetson served as a statement win for the Panthers, sending them into the second round of the WNIT with confidence and momentum.
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