Categories: College University AthleticsWestern Kentucky University News

FIU Women’s Basketball Starts 2025 with Thrilling Victory

FIU Women's Basketball team celebrates their nail-biting victory against Western Kentucky.

News Summary

The FIU Panthers opened 2025 with a nail-biting victory against Western Kentucky, winning 80-79 in their first conference match of the season. The game showcased a remarkable comeback by the Panthers after trailing early. Key performances from Angena Belloso and Parris Atkins helped secure the win. This victory is significant as it marks the Panthers’ third consecutive win over Western Kentucky and sets a record for their shooting percentage in Conference USA. The team now looks ahead to their next challenge against Louisiana Tech.

FIU Women’s Basketball Opens 2025 with a Nail-Biting Victory in Conference Play

Miami, FL – What a thrilling night it was for the FIU Panthers as they kicked off their New Year in style by clinching their first conference win of the season! The ladies took on Western Kentucky in an electrifying showdown on January 4, 2025, and emerged victorious with a nail-biting score of 80-79.

A Remarkable Comeback

From the get-go, it was clear that Western Kentucky came to play, launching into a strong start with a staggering 21-10 run within the first 5:49 of the game. But the Panthers weren’t about to roll over. They showcased their gritty spirit by fighting back with an 11-5 run, wrapping up the first quarter with a score of 26-21 in favor of WKU.

During this quarter, five Panthers showcased their talents by contributing points, with Angena Belloso leading the charge with six points. As the game progressed, Belloso became a key player to watch, ultimately finishing with a phenomenal 23 points, shooting an impressive 8-11 from the field and hitting 2-3 from three-point range.

Defensive Dominance

Things started to shift in the second quarter as the Panthers showed off their defensive prowess, restricting WKU to just 27.8% shooting. The result? FIU outscored the Hilltoppers 23-11 during this period, and by halftime, the Panthers forged ahead with a 44-39 lead.

A Battle of Wits in the Third Quarter

As the game unfolded into the third quarter, both teams engaged in a back-and-forth scoring battle. The Panthers kept the pressure on, scoring 19 points and maintaining a solid lead of 63-55 as the final quarter approached. It was a display of determination and teamwork, with the Panthers out-rebounding WKU by an impressive margin of 44-20 overall.

The Final Push

17-4 run that sent shockwaves through the crowd. But thanks to clutch free throws from Belloso and senior Aaliyah Pitts, FIU managed to secure the hard-fought victory.

Star Players Shine

While Belloso dazzled on the court, she wasn’t alone in her efforts. Parris Atkins also made her mark by scoring 23 points, with a stellar shooting performance of 10-13, along with a career-high tying nine rebounds and three steals. Aaliyah Pitts, who previously played for WKU, chipped in with 12 points on a remarkable 4-5 shooting spree and secured her second double-double with 12 rebounds.

Adding to the mix, senior Isnelle Natabou showed her prowess with 10 points and eight rebounds, while contributing to the Panthers’ electrifying performance.

Setting Records

FIU’s record-setting night didn’t end there. With a field-goal percentage of 68.1%, the Panthers boasted the highest shooting percentage in Conference USA this season. To top it all off, this victory marked the Panthers’ third consecutive win over Western Kentucky, a feat that has only occurred once before in the program’s storied history.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, the Panthers are gearing up for their next game against Louisiana Tech on January 9, 2025, at 7 p.m. Will they carry this momentum forward? Fans will have to stay tuned to find out!