Paws Up Preview – FIU Women’s Basketball vs Stetson

Despite a quarterfinals loss to Missouri State in the Conference USA tournament, head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley and the FIU Women’s Basketball program (20-11, 12-6) clinched a spot in the 2025-26 Women’s National Invitation Tournament. They will face the Stetson Hatters (20-11, 12-6) in the first round of the tournament on Friday, March 20, at 7:00 pm.

FIU Season in Review

FIU currently has the second-best scoring offense, averaging 70.2 points per game, and allowing the fourth-most points per game (65.1).

Leading the charge was forward Rhema Collins, who finished the regular season averaging 17.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.4 assists, and was shooting 44.6% from the field. The Ole Miss transfer finished the season as Conference USA Player of the Year.

44.3 Q4 | HUGE AND-1

MOS 70, FIU 67 pic.twitter.com/LwMvLlhyIk

— FIU Women’s Basketball (@FIUWBB) March 14, 2026

Improving in several categories, the Panthers are second in steals per game (11.77), primarily thanks to junior guard Parris Atkins, who averaged 2.9 steals per game, the second highest in CUSA. She finished the season, making the All-Conference First Team.

ONE POINT GAME pic.twitter.com/W7maLHc30Z

— FIU Women’s Basketball (@FIUWBB) March 14, 2026

Scouting the Hatters

The Stetson Hatters enter this game with a 20-11 overall record, having compiled a 12-6 conference record. Guard Cameron Thomas leads the team in scoring with 16.4 points per game. Forward Aleah Sorrentino is the rebounding leader with 7.7 per game. Senior guard Mary McMillan leads with 4.2 assists, and Promise Keshi is the leader in steals (1.8) and blocks (1.3).

𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀#GoHatters | @StetsonHatters | @ASUNSports pic.twitter.com/MDrYQ3v3FL

— StetsonWBB (@StetsonWBB) March 7, 2026

Stetson averages 69.6 points per game, which is fourth in the conference. They give up 64.5 points per game on defense, which is the sixth most in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Hatters are the third-worst team in the conference in steals, averaging 7.23 per game.

They only average 5.87 steals, which is the worst in the conference, but the Hatters have several noteworthy statistics. They average the third-most three-pointers (0.328) and the third-most assists (14.03). Stetson averages the third-least turnovers (14.1) and the third-most assists (14.0). Their 1.00 assist/turnover ratio ranks second in the ASUN.

Series History

The Panthers are 30-4 all-time against the Hatters and is 2-0 against them in the WNIT. FIU is also riding on a 22-game winning streak against Stetson, with their last loss coming in 1990.

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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