Wednesday, March 10
Frisco, Texas / Ford Center at The Star
11:00 a.m.
Southern Miss
vs
(4E) FIU
Lady Eagles Open Conference USA Tournament Against FIU
3/9/2021 2:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FRISCO, Texas – Southern Miss seeks its first win in the C-USA women's basketball tournament on Wednesday morning since the tournament moved to Frisco during the 2017-18 season. The Lady Eagles take on FIU at 11 a.m. CT from the Ford Center at The Star. The game marks the first time the two teams have met in the postseason.
"We're excited for the opportunity to play," head coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. "We're excited to compete. Playing FIU tomorrow is going to be a challenge, they're a great team. They have a good mixture of talent and size. We'll have to be ready to compete from the opening tip."
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
• In her first season, Jesyka Burks-Wiley was named C-USA Coach of the Year after leading FIU to a 12-11 regular season and the programs highest win total since having 15 during the 2013-14 season. It also marked the most ever in C-USA play for the Panthers.
• All-Conference second team selection Jiselle Thomas was instrumental in the Panthers splitting with USM earlier this season, dropping 47 points in the two contests. Thomas matched her career-high with 27 points in game one of the series.
• The Panthers have lived by the three ball this season with 8.7 made threes per game ranking second in C-USA and 23rd nationally.
• FIU enters the postseason ranking third in C-USA in scoring and 41st nationally, averaging 74.5 PPG.
SCOUTING THE LADY EAGLES
• Melyia Grayson was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and Co-Freshman of the Year as announced by the league office.
• Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis currently sits at 499 wins and can become the 84th DI women's basketball coach to reach the 500 career win mark and join just 34 other active DI coaches with 500 wins.
• The Lady Eagles will have to rely on its youth, as the Black and Gold have only three current roster players who have scored in the postseason.
• Redshirt junior Kelsey Jones recorded double-digit scoring efforts in the last two games and in four of the last seven, including a career-high 22 against LA Tech on 1/30.
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: USM leads 10-4
Neutral: USM leads 2-0
C-USA Tournament: First meeting
Last Meeting: USM, 76-60, 2/20/21
"We're excited for the opportunity to play," head coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. "We're excited to compete. Playing FIU tomorrow is going to be a challenge, they're a great team. They have a good mixture of talent and size. We'll have to be ready to compete from the opening tip."
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
• In her first season, Jesyka Burks-Wiley was named C-USA Coach of the Year after leading FIU to a 12-11 regular season and the programs highest win total since having 15 during the 2013-14 season. It also marked the most ever in C-USA play for the Panthers.
• All-Conference second team selection Jiselle Thomas was instrumental in the Panthers splitting with USM earlier this season, dropping 47 points in the two contests. Thomas matched her career-high with 27 points in game one of the series.
• The Panthers have lived by the three ball this season with 8.7 made threes per game ranking second in C-USA and 23rd nationally.
• FIU enters the postseason ranking third in C-USA in scoring and 41st nationally, averaging 74.5 PPG.
SCOUTING THE LADY EAGLES
• Melyia Grayson was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and Co-Freshman of the Year as announced by the league office.
• Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis currently sits at 499 wins and can become the 84th DI women's basketball coach to reach the 500 career win mark and join just 34 other active DI coaches with 500 wins.
• The Lady Eagles will have to rely on its youth, as the Black and Gold have only three current roster players who have scored in the postseason.
• Redshirt junior Kelsey Jones recorded double-digit scoring efforts in the last two games and in four of the last seven, including a career-high 22 against LA Tech on 1/30.
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: USM leads 10-4
Neutral: USM leads 2-0
C-USA Tournament: First meeting
Last Meeting: USM, 76-60, 2/20/21
Players Mentioned
Center
/ Women's Basketball
Center
/ Women's BasketballMissy Bilderback Presser - March 27, 2025
Thursday, March 27
Jeremy McClain Presser - March 27, 2025
Thursday, March 27
Missy Bilderback Introductory Press Conference
Thursday, March 27
Thank You Coach Joye Lee-McNelis
Saturday, March 01