Paws Up Preview – FIU Women’s Basketball vs Missouri State

After a hard-fought win over Jacksonville State in the quarterfinals, head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley and the second-seeded FIU Women’s Basketball program (20-10, 12-6) have advanced in the 2025-26 Conference USA tournament. They will face the Missouri State Lady Bears (20-12, 11-7), the sixth seed, in the tournament semifinals on Friday, March 13, at 9:00 p.m.

FIU in Review

FIU has the second-best scoring offense, averaging 70.3 points per game, and has allowed the fifth-most points per game (64.8).

Leading the charge is forward Rhema Collins, who is averaging 16.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.4 assists, and is shooting 44.8% from the field. The Ole Miss transfer finished the season as Conference USA Player of the Year.

Ferrer finding POTY 🥽 pic.twitter.com/txsPfqzhMj

— FIU Women’s Basketball (@FIUWBB) March 11, 2026

Having improved in several categories, the Panthers are second in steals per game (11.63), primarily thanks to junior guard Parris Atkins, who averages 2.9 steals per game, the second highest in C-USA. She finished the season being recognized on the All-Conference First Team.

🚀🏀PLAYER OF THE GAME🚀🏀

Parris Atkins, @FIUWBB
23 PTS | 9-10 FT | 5 REB #RocketCityHoops | #NoLimitsOnUs pic.twitter.com/oSlkX0A3Ab

— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) March 11, 2026

A huge reason for FIU’s high-scoring offense is ranking third in the conference in offensive rebounds per game (14.3). On the flipside, the Panthers are 10th in defensive rebounds per game (22.6).

Scouting the Lady Bears

The Missouri State Lady Bears enter this game with a 20-12 overall record, having compiled an 11-7 conference record. Guard Kaemyn Bekemeier is their biggest offensive weapon, leading the team in points (17.4), rebounds (8.1), and 3-point shooting (34.8%). Maycee James leads the team in assists (2.7) and steals (2.4) per game.

Kaemyn gets the crowd FIRED UP🔥🔥#LadyBears | #WeAreMoState pic.twitter.com/iowDNv9QBT

— Missouri State Lady Bears (@MoStateWBB) March 12, 2026

Missouri State averages 66.1 points per game, which is third in the conference. They give up 61.5 points per game on defense, which is the fifth-least in CUSA. The Lady Bears are the fourth-worst team in the conference in 3-point field goals made, with 5.3 per game.

They average 2.59 blocks, which is fourth-worst in CUSA. They also only average 7.31 steals, which is the third-worst in the conference. The Lady Bears have a couple of noteworthy statistics. Their opponents average the third-fewest free throws (0.691) and have made the second-least field goals (0.291).

Season Series

The first game between these two programs took place in Miami on January 4th, where FIU fell to Missouri State by a final score of 80-69. The Panthers lost to the Lady Bears in a 69-38 blowout in Springfield back on February 26th.

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

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