FIU Women’s Basketball has announced its 2025-26 conference schedule. Last season, the Panthers went 11-19, reaching the quarterfinals of the Conference USA tournament before losing to Western Kentucky.
Jesyka Burks-Wiley, who’s entering her fourth season as head coach, will seek to improve her squad’s performance against conference opponents. The team went 7-11 last season against Conference USA foes.
CUSA Schedule
January 4 – FIU vs Sam Houston
January 8 – FIU vs Jacksonville State
January 10 – FIU vs Kennesaw State
January 15 – FIU at New Mexico State
January 17 – FIU at UTEP
January 22 – FIU vs Sam Houston
January 24 – FIU vs Louisiana Tech
January 29 – FIU at Liberty
January 31 – FIU at Delaware
February 5 – FIU vs Western Kentucky
February 7 – FIU vs Middle Tennessee
February 12 – FIU at Louisiana Tech
February 14 – FIU at Sam Houston
February 19 – FIU vs Delaware
February 21 – FIU vs Liberty
February 28 – FIU at Missouri State
March 5 – FIU at Middle Tennessee
March 7 – FIU at Western Kentucky
The Newbies
At first glance, two opponents stand out. Both Delaware and Missouri State are new to Conference USA. FIU will be playing against both schools for the first time in program history. Delaware, which is coming from the Coastal Athletic Association, posted a 7-14 record last season. They lost to the College of Charleston in the CAA quarterfinals.
The Fightin’ Blue Hens had a remarkable run in the CAA Tournament before losing to UNC Wilmington in the championship game. Missouri State, which is coming from the Missouri Valley Conference, held a 26-9 record last season. The Lady Bears fell to Belmont in the MVC Tournament semifinals and to Minnesota in the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament.
The Usual Suspects
Business as usual, the Panthers will be playing the team they’ve faced the most in Middle Tennessee. They are 9-38 all-time against the Blue Raiders and dropped both contests last season, 69-38 away and 65-44 at home. The previous time FIU beat them was on January 15, 2022, at The Bank. MTSU posted a 26-9 record last season before falling short to Liberty in the CUSA championship game. They also lost to Belmont in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament.
Another team FIU has seen plenty of is Western Kentucky. The Panthers have played a total of 43 games against them. Although they beat the Lady Toppers on the road in a nail-biter, 80-79, that would be the only success they would have against them. FIU lost at home 83-48 and got knocked out of the opening round of the Conference USA, 73-66.
The 2025-26 conference slate is here 📆 pic.twitter.com/YRY80ZPPjL
— FIU Women’s Basketball (@FIUWBB) July 11, 2025
UTEP has been a staple on the Conference USA schedule since 2005. FIU and the Miners split the season series in 2025. The Panthers lost their away game, 70-68, but won at home, 83-66. The University of Texas at El Paso finished with an 11-19 record and lost in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament to Kennesaw State.
FIU hasn’t had much luck against Louisiana Tech, with only a .267 winning percentage against them all-time. Both matchups last season were double-digit losses. The Panthers lost 63-50 away and 69-51 at home. Last season, the Lady Techsters posted an 18-16 record, before losing to Liberty in the CUSA Tournament semifinals and to Illinois State in the WNIT Great 8.
The Renewed Rivals
The Panthers have had New Mexico State’s number in the past, but dropped both contests this previous season. FIU lost away 74-50 and at home 65-55. As a result, they are entering 2025-26 on a three-game losing streak to the Aggies. NM State held an 18-16 record, falling to LA Tech in the Conference USA quarterfinals and then North Dakota State in the second round of the WNIT.
Jacksonville State is the opponent against whom FIU had the most success this past season. Both games resulted in wins, 62-52 at The Bank and 74-72 while on the road. The Gamecocks held the worst Conference USA record, going 10-20 and ultimately losing in the first round of the tournament to Sam Houston.
Kennesaw State is another team the Panthers have fared well against over the past couple of seasons. Both games last season had ultra-thin scores. FIU took the 65-64 home victory while they won their home matchup, 53-50. The Owls had a 13-18 record, losing to Middle Tennessee in the quarterfinals of the CUSA Tournament.
Sam Houston has tended to be a favorable opponent as well. FIU won at The Bank, 61-54, but lost 66-54 while away. The Bearkats posted a 13-17 record, losing to Liberty in the CUSA Tournament quarterfinals.
The team to watch in this conference is once again Liberty. FIU dropped both contests to them, 83-54 on the road and 73-57 at home. The Lady Flames finished with a 26-7 record. Their 16-2 record in conference play was no fluke either, as they went on to win the Conference USA Tournament. Liberty would go on to lose to #13 Kentucky State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
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