Categories: College University AthleticsWestern Kentucky University News

FIU Women’s Basketball Achieves First Conference Win

The FIU women's basketball team celebrates their hard-fought victory against WKU.

News Summary

On January 4, 2025, the FIU women’s basketball team triumphed over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers with a narrow 80-79 victory, marking their first conference win of the season. Star players Angena Belloso and Parris Atkins led the charge, each scoring 23 points, as the Panthers displayed resilience throughout the match. Despite trailing early, FIU rallied to secure the win with clutch free throws in the final moments. Looking ahead, the Panthers are geared up to face Louisiana Tech on January 9, as they aim to build on their newfound momentum.

Victory in Bowling Green: FIU Women’s Basketball Shines

The city of Bowling Green, KY, witnessed an exhilarating showdown on January 4, 2025, as the FIU women’s basketball team secured their first conference win of the season. The Panthers faced off against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, clinching a nail-biting victory with a final score of 80-79.

First Win of the New Year

As the year kicked off, the Panthers were eager to make their mark in Conference USA (CUSA) play. This victory not only celebrated their first win of 2025 but also signified a triumphant start in conference competition for the season. With every point, the thrill in the arena became palpable, and the atmosphere was electric.

Star Performers Step Up

The stars of the game were undoubtedly the dynamic duo of Angena Belloso and Parris Atkins, who each tallied an astounding 23 points—a personal best for both players. Belloso demonstrated her shooting prowess with an impressive 8-11 from the field, including a cool 2-3 from three-point territory. She didn’t stop there; adding 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals to her already stellar performance left fans roaring with excitement.

Atkins wasn’t far behind, showing her efficiency with an impressive 10-13 shooting performance, alongside tying her career-high with 9 rebounds and snagging 3 steals. Additionally, transfer student Aaliyah Pitts made a significant impact against her former team, contributing 12 points on 4-5 shooting, and achieving a double-double with 12 rebounds.

Let’s not forget Isnelle Natabou, who also made her presence felt by scoring 10 points and pulling down 8 rebounds, completing a well-rounded team effort.

Game Highlights

The action unfolded quickly, with the Panthers initially trailing after WKU launched a 21-10 run. However, true to their resilient spirit, FIU fought back, closing the first quarter at 26-21. The second quarter saw FIU come into their own, outscoring WKU and limiting them to merely 27.8% shooting—an impressive defensive display that allowed the Panthers to take the halftime lead, 44-39.

As the third quarter progressed, FIU maintained their momentum, leading at 63-55 going into the final period. Things got a bit tense as WKU rallied back, mounting a comeback with a startling 17-4 run to close the gap. But the Panthers held their ground, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.

Clutch Free Throws Seal the Deal

With just moments remaining in the game, the tension was high. However, clutch free-throws from Belloso and Pitts helped secure the Panthers’ hard-fought victory. The team’s overall shooting percentage of 68.1% stood as a testament to their offensive prowess, marking it the highest field-goal percentage in Conference USA this season.

What’s Next for the Panthers?

With their spirits high and momentum on their side, the FIU Panthers are set to lace up their sneakers again as they prepare to face Louisiana Tech on January 9, 2025. The game will be held at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center at 7 p.m. Fans will surely be watching eagerly to see if the Panthers can continue their winning streak!

In the world of women’s basketball, this exciting victory definitely adds a chapter to the FIU Panthers’ remarkable journey in the season ahead!