FIU WBB Douses Flames, Win Record-Setting Seventh Straight Game

MIAMI, FL – Riding with a six-game win streak, the FIU Panthers looked to make it seven tonight against the Liberty Flames.

Led by Mya Kone’s 14-point game and the Panthers forcing 22 turnovers, FIU extends the win streak to seven in a row with a 70-59 final score.

Tonight’s game began close with Liberty pulling away early on, but a slew of FIU turnovers changed the tempo of the game in favor of the Panthers.

Entering halftime, the Panthers began to pull away with their largest lead of the game at that point, up 31-21.

The third half and beyond was to keep their lead consistent and not allow the Flames to get on a scoring run – both those things were executed near-perfectly.

Liberty had trouble holding onto the ball and could not find success in the paint or from deep, while FIU converted on whatever the Flames gave them.

FIU faced their biggest challenge with less than five minutes to go in the game as the Flames cut the lead to five points only, but the Panthers kept it from getting any worse thanks to a slew of free throws.

Despite the Liberty comeback, FIU was able to put the game away in the final minute as they went on a 6-0 run while the Flames missed their last four shots.

What stood out about the Panthers tonight were the 22 turnovers along with dominating the paint with 44 rebounds. Guard Kaliah Henderson and Mya Kone both ended the night with nine rebounds, which led the team.

Henderson continues having herself a great season as she had 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists and shot 4-11 on the night.

Henderson’s night will mark the second time this season that she has back-to-back nights scoring into the double digits.

With the win, FIU goes to 13-5 and 4-0 in conference play. This is the seventh straight win for the Panthers – the most consecutive wins in a season since the 2004-05 season.

The road for FIU doesn’t get any easier as they welcome the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and then the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders who are two of the best teams in the conference.