FIU Wins Battle Against Sam Houston; Extends Win Streak to Four

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MIAMI, FL – FIU Women’s Basketball entered today’s game on a hot three-game winning streak. Not only that, but they were also coming off their first road trip sweep since the 2023-24 season.

Sam Houston came into the matchup just above the Panthers in the CUSA standings. It was a battlefield for both teams on the court in a game that featured five ties and 11 lead changes. In the end, FIU came out victorious 66-60 against Sam Houston, extending their win streak to four games.

A Tale of Two Quarters

Both programs started the game off slowly at a minuscule rate. Eventually, the Panthers used a 9-1 run in the 1st quarter to expand their lead. The quarter ended with FIU on top, 17-8.

“I think just having more bodies available makes a difference,” said Jesyka Burks-Wiley. “We were caught in the preseason, this kid’s out, and this kid’s in, and this kid’s out. We’re still missing one of our key reserves right now, so I think us just being fortunate to be able to have everybody together is really building that chemistry.”

Freshie doing it herself! pic.twitter.com/rUp5NwRCpT

— FIU Women’s Basketball (@FIUWBB) January 23, 2026

At the start of the next quarter, FIU extended its lead to 12 points, but then the Bearkats capitalized on consecutive FIU turnovers to go on a 9-0 run. Suddenly, FIU’s advantage was down to just three points at 24-21.

Both teams would trade baskets until Sam Houston went on to score eight unanswered points. Sam Houston entered halftime with a 31-28 lead.

Welcome to the Float Gang ™️ pic.twitter.com/By4Tdr9zTn

— FIU Women’s Basketball (@FIUWBB) January 23, 2026

The Bearkats and Panthers scored a relatively low number of points in the first half due to their high turnover ratio. FIU committed 14 turnovers while Sam Houston was held to nine.

The difference was remarkably the points off turnovers from Sam Houston. They responded to FIU’s mistakes with 17 points in that category while the Panthers were only able to muster a single basket.

Besides that, FIU was performing better with their shots with a 39% shooting percentage and the game’s only three-pointer. They also had 22 total rebounds.

“It goes back to being healthy cause you’re not gonna have great dialogue if one of us is in a tracksuit and the other one is playing when it’s all said and done,” said Coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley. “And so, when you have everybody available to have those in-moment conversations in practice and in the game, it makes a difference. So that’s where I think our kids knock on wood. I think we’re just gonna continue to get better with time cause of that.”

FIU Gets Their Lead Back

Entering the 3rd quarter, FIU picked up on an 8-2 run to retake the lead at 36-35. Both teams battled out the quarter with good defensive pressure before FIU finished the quarter with five unanswered points, capped off by an amazing buzzer-beating three-pointer from Parris Atkins. The Panthers led 44-42.

Parris at the third quarter buzzer 🚨 pic.twitter.com/cJXr8t15bG

— FIU Women’s Basketball (@FIUWBB) January 23, 2026

Panthers win Back-and-Forth Battle

The game had been seemingly close for a while, and it was expected to be back-and-forth in the fourth quarter. Again, both teams traded buckets until FIU found itself down by four with 5:46 left.

The Panthers then responded with eight unanswered points to go up 56-52 with 3:42 to go. They never looked back and finished the game, drawing four straight trips to the free throw line.

FIU had a 42% shooting percentage and went 5/10 from downtown. The Bearkats failed to make a three-pointer during the game, proving to be a difference maker thanks to FIU’s defense. The Panthers shot 83% from the line (15/18), doing a great job at getting Sam Houston to commit fouls.

“No, I think our kids did a really good job of that, forcing them in situations they didn’t want to be in,” said Coach Burks-Wiley. “So, I think for us, that’s been a big call to action I have as far as the stats to our kids offensively. We don’t leave much to be desired offensively. Great teams string both ends together, and I think the last couple of games our kids have done a good job of putting both ends together.”

Final
Sam Houston 60 | FIU 66

FIU decisively won the three-point battle, and the Panthers are now on a four-game winning streak #FIU | #Panthers | #PawsUp

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) January 23, 2026

FIU capped off the night with 39 rebounds, including 26 on defense, with some coming at pivotal moments. They were able to dish out 14 assists and score 11 points off the fastbreak.

Stars of the Court

Denika Lightbourne was outstanding on the court, scoring 11 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out five assists. Atkins remained consistent with 14 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Adama Badjie Coly had one of her best games of the season with 10 points and six rebounds.

Rhema Collins didn’t disappoint with nine points, four rebounds, and three assists. Grecia Ferrer Leal was perfect at the charity stripe and from downtown with nine points.

“I was just being patient, not getting in my head about stuff and depending on my teammates,” said Parris Atkins.

On Deck

FIU Women’s Basketball will run it back at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center this Saturday afternoon at 1 pm when they face Louisiana Tech.

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