\n
\n
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tStory Links
\n\t\t
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Next Game:<\/p>\n
at UTEP<\/p>\n
1\/17\/2026 | 2 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
\n Jan. 17 (Sat) \/ 2 p.m. ET
\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n at\u00a0UTEP
\n <\/p>\n
History <\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n LAS CRUCES, NM \u2013 Rhema Collins<\/a> and Parris Atkins<\/a> combine for 50 points as women’s basketball (9-6, 2-2 CUSA) marched into Pan American Center and came out with a 83-74 victory over New Mexico State (6-11, 2-3 CUSA).<\/p>\n The Panthers played hot from the jump and kept up the pace all contest, scoring 25 points in the first quarter, never relinquishing the lead after taking a 12-11 advantage with 3:22 in the first quarter. FIU went into the second quarter with a 25-15 lead.<\/p>\n New Mexico State fought back, cutting the FIU lead to four by the end of the first half, 35-31.<\/p>\n Out of the break, the CUSA-leading Panther offense took flight, putting up 33 points in the penultimate frame, with senior Parris Atkins<\/a> accounting for 12. The guard ended the game with her seventh 20-point game of the season, going for 21 points and piling on six rebounds and four steals.\u00a0<\/p>\n FIU went into the final quarter with a 68-56 lead.<\/p>\n Despite the Aggies cutting the FIU lead to as little as four in the fourth quarter, the Panthers stood strong, ending the game 13-8 run and closing out their second victory of CUSA-play.<\/p>\n “I’m really proud of the resilience our kids showed tonight,” Head Coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley<\/a> commented after the game. “Every road game is a battle in CUSA and our kids stepped up to the challenge. Looking forward to the toughness and grit this game pulled out of us bearing fruit in our next games.”<\/p>\n Junior Rhema Collins<\/a> led the way for FIU, ending with a game-high 29 points on 8-12 shooting, also knocking down 13 free-throws. The 6’2 guard ended with her eighth double-double of the season, bringing down 10 rebounds, while adding on three assists, two blocks and two steals.\u00a0<\/p>\n It was the first time FIU had two 20-point scorers in a game since last season when Parris Atkins<\/a> and Angena Belloso<\/a> both accounted for 23 points in a victory over Western Kentucky.\u00a0<\/p>\n Judit Valero<\/a> was the final Panther to manage double-figures in scoring, ending with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.<\/p>\n FIU benefited off Aggie mistakes, beating New Mexico State in points off turnovers (30-16) and second-chance points (12-8).<\/p>\n This was the first time the Panthers beat the Aggies since the 2023-24 season, breaking a four-game losing streak against New Mexico State.<\/p>\n UP NEXT TICKETS SOCIAL MEDIA \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nThe Panthers will stay out west and matchup against University of Texas at El – Paso on Saturday, January 17 at 4 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n
\nFor more information on FIU tickets to FIU basketball home games, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit HERE<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nFans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@fiuwbb<\/a>), Twitter (@FIUWBB<\/a>), and Facebook (@<\/a>FIUWBasketbal<\/a>l) for all the latest Women’s Basketball news. General athletic news can also be found at @FIUAthletics<\/a> on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n