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LYNCHBURG, Va. – This upcoming Saturday, January 25, at 1 p.m., the FIU women’s basketball team will travel to Lynchburg to face Liberty in their first meeting of the season against the Flames.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, January 25th
Location: Liberty Arena
Series History: FIU and Liberty are currently tied, 1-1.
Quick Facts
In their previous encounters last season, both teams secured victories on their home turf. This series marks the only competition in history between these two programs.
Senior standout Isnelle Natabou has been a force on the court, consistently scoring in double digits for the last five games and grabbing at least five offensive rebounds in five of the past six contests. She currently ranks 2nd in Conference USA (CUSA) with 4.1 offensive rebounds per game and is positioned 19th nationally.
Natabou holds the third-best career field-goal percentage among active players at an impressive 63.8%.
FIU leads CUSA with a field-goal percentage of 46.2%, placing them 30th in the nation. The team is also second in offensive rebounds with 13.1 per game and dominates the boards in conference play, limiting opponents to just 28.6 rebounds per game. The Panthers have a remarkable rebound margin of +8.7, putting them first in the conference and 19th in the country.
Junior Parris Atkins is making her mark, currently 5th in CUSA with an average of 14.6 points per game and ranking 4th in shooting percentage at 47.7%. She’s not only been an offensive threat but also ranks 6th in steals per game with 2.5 and is tied for 5th in total steals with 42.
In terms of shooting efficiency during CUSA play, Natabou (75%) and Atkins (55.9%) sit atop the leaderboard for field-goal percentage.
Scouting the Flames
Liberty has paved a solid path in conference play, currently holding the top spot in CUSA with a 5-1 record and an overall standing of 12-5 after being projected second in the preseason poll.
The Flames excel offensively, leading the conference with an average of 73.6 points per game over their 17 matches this season, while also ranking 6th in defense by allowing 63.9 points per game.
Liberty dominates the boards too, averaging 39.5 rebounds per game, and boasts a free-throw percentage of 75%. Furthermore, they lead in three-point shooting, connecting at a remarkable 38% rate.
Leading the Flames is senior guard Bella Smuda, who contributes 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, along with 1.9 blocks, which stands as the third-best in CUSA. Junior Emma Hess and sophomore Asia Boone follow closely in scoring, averaging 10.4 and 10.1 points per game, respectively.
The Panthers will be aiming to redeem themselves after their last meeting, where Liberty triumphed over FIU with a score of 71-56.
Tickets and Social Media
For details on ticketing for FIU basketball home games, including student tickets, please call 305-FIU-GAME or visit our website.
Stay connected with the Panthers! Follow them on Instagram (@fiuwbb), Twitter (@FIUWBB), and Facebook (@FIUWBasketball) for the latest updates on women’s basketball. General athletic news can also be found by following @FIUSportson Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.
This revised article maintains the original content’s key information while enhancing readability and ensuring a woman-centered focus.
