FIU Panthers Drop 122 Points in Dominant Season-Ending Win

Adama Badjie Coly grabbed her 10th rebound with four minutes left in the third quarter, completing the first double-double of her career as FIU women’s basketball demolished Florida National 122-30 Tuesday afternoon at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

The Panthers entered halftime leading 61-12 before outscoring the visiting Conquistadors 61-18 in the final two quarters, capping their 2025 calendar year with one of the most dominant performances in program history.

“Our depth showed today, and when you have eight players scoring in double figures, that’s a complete team effort,” said FIU head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley after the victory. “Adama has been working toward this milestone all season, and it’s fitting she achieved it in such a complete team win.”

Badjie Coly, the 6-foot-1 forward from Dakar, Senegal, finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring a Panthers attack that shot 51.4 percent from the field while forcing 31 turnovers. The junior has emerged as FIU’s most consistent interior presence, averaging 12.3 points and 8.7 rebounds through 12 games this season.

FIU’s balanced scoring attack featured contributions from across the roster. Senior guard Tanajah Hayes added 16 points and seven assists, while sophomore forward Destiny Washington chipped in 14 points off the bench. The Panthers’ bench outscored Florida National’s entire team 67-30, showcasing the program’s improved depth under Burks-Wiley’s third-year leadership.

The victory marked FIU’s fifth win in their last seven games, a stretch that has coincided with the Panthers finding their identity in Conference USA play. After dropping their first four conference games, FIU has responded with improved ball movement and defensive intensity that was on full display against the overmatched Conquistadors.

Florida National, a small NAIA program based in Hialeah, managed just 18.5 percent shooting from the field and committed 31 turnovers against FIU’s pressure defense. The Conquistadors entered Tuesday’s game averaging 58.4 points per contest but couldn’t establish any offensive rhythm against the Panthers’ suffocating full-court press.

FIU jumped out to a 32-8 lead after the first quarter, with Hayes orchestrating the offense and finding open teammates throughout the Panthers’ transition attack. The lead ballooned to 49 points by halftime as FIU continued to force turnovers and convert them into easy baskets.

The Panthers’ dominant performance provided a stark contrast to some of the challenges facing other South Florida sports teams this winter, offering local basketball fans a reason to celebrate as 2025 winds down.

Burks-Wiley used the comfortable lead to give extended minutes to her entire roster, with 13 different Panthers recording playing time. Freshman guard Kiara Johnson scored 12 points in 18 minutes, while sophomore center Makayla Andrews contributed 10 points and six rebounds in limited action.

The 92-point victory margin represented the largest in FIU women’s basketball history, surpassing the previous record of 78 points set during the 2018-19 season. The 122 points scored also marked a season-high for the Panthers, who entered Tuesday averaging 68.2 points per game.

FIU’s improved offensive balance has been a key development during their recent surge. After relying heavily on individual scoring efforts early in the season, the Panthers have averaged 18.3 assists over their last four games while shooting 46.7 percent from three-point range.

The victory also served as a homecoming of sorts for several FIU players with South Florida roots. Hayes, a Miami native who starred at Miami Senior High, finished with her third double-digit assist game of the season. Washington, who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, has provided consistent scoring punch off the bench throughout conference play.

FIU’s defensive effort was equally impressive, holding Florida National to just 30 total points—the fewest allowed by the Panthers since joining Division I in 1998. The Conquistadors managed only two field goals in the entire second half, finishing 11-of-59 from the field overall.

The Panthers will look to carry this momentum into 2025 when they resume Conference USA play next week. FIU sits at 7-5 overall and 2-4 in league play, positioning them for a potential middle-of-the-pack finish in their second season under Burks-Wiley’s system.

Badjie Coly’s breakthrough performance highlighted her development since transferring to FIU from Northwest Florida State College. The athletic forward has steadily improved her rebounding numbers each month, culminating in Tuesday’s career-defining effort on the boards.

“This double-double means everything to me,” Badjie Coly said after the game. “Coach has been pushing me to be more aggressive on the glass, and my teammates did a great job finding me when I was open.”

FIU will return to action January 4 when they travel to face Middle Tennessee in their first conference road test of the new year. The Panthers will look to build on Tuesday’s dominant showing as they chase their first Conference USA tournament appearance since 2019.

Tuesday’s victory marked the final home game of 2025 for FIU, sending the small but enthusiastic crowd at Ocean Bank Convocation Center home with plenty to celebrate as the calendar turns to a new year.