![\"Winner](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CUSA_Primary_200x200.png\")
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Next Game:<\/p>\n
vs. Winner of No. 3\/No. 6<\/p>\n
3\/13\/2026 | 9 p.m. ET\/8 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
\n Mar. 13 (Fri) \/ 9 p.m. ET\/8 p.m. CT
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\n vs.\u00a0Winner of No. 3\/No. 6
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History <\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n HUNTSVILLE, Ala. \u2013 No. 2 Women’s basketball (20-10, 12-6 CUSA) comes out victorious in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Conference USA Women’s Basketball Tournament, beating No. 7 Jacksonville State (16-16, 9-9 CUSA), 76-66.<\/p>\n The win marked the first victory in the CUSA Tournament for the Panthers since the 2021-22 season, and the seventh win all-time in the tournament.<\/p>\n A hard-fought first half saw FIU trailing into the break, 35-32.\u00a0<\/p>\n Seven Panthers saw points scored in the first half, with Grecia Ferrer Leal<\/a> ending the first half with five points. The freshman ended the game tying a career-high with 13 points on 4-8 shooting, with the FIU facilitator adding on four assists.<\/p>\n The second half started as the first half ended, with the Panthers and Gamecocks trading baskets back-and-forth, tying the game at 42 with 3:23 left in the penultimate quarter. FIU used an 11-0 run from 3:23-0:42 to separate from Jacksonville State, and would not give back the lead for the rest of the contest.<\/p>\n Parris Atkins’<\/a> offensive explosion sparked the win, with the senior ending the contest with 23 points and sinking 9-10 free-throws. The All-CUSA First Team selection added on five rebounds, four assists and one steal to round out her dynamic performance.<\/p>\n Judit Valero<\/a> was the last Panther in double-figures, putting up 16 points on an efficient 6-8 shooting, going 2-2 from three as well as 2-2 from the free-throw line.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Panthers forced 22 turnovers, generating 24 points off those turnovers, also dominating with 42 points in the paint to the Gamecock’s 30.\u00a0<\/p>\n The semifinals berth ties the farthest FIU has ever made it in the Conference USA championships, making it the semifinals in their first season in the conference in 2013-14.\u00a0<\/p>\n UP NEXT TICKETS SOCIAL MEDIA \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nThe Panthers will play the winner of No. 3 Middle Tennessee and No. 6 Missouri State on Friday, March 13 at 9 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