MIAMI – A 14-point outing by Mya Barnes in her first game back from injury highlighted Jacksonville State women's basketball's 75-50 loss at FIU on Saturday. The Gamecocks could not slow down the league's top scoring offense in Miami, dropping the program's first ever Conference USA showdown. 
 
 "They're really good," head coach Rick Pietri said. "In terms of a roster, that's probably the best roster we've played outside of our Power 5 opponents. We weren't good enough to play a team that good. We got off to a really nice start, then we had a couple of missteps, and they capitalized on every one of them. You look up and it's 20-8, and we just never recovered."
 
Jax State (5-8, 0-1) raced out to a 7-4 lead before the Panther (10-5, 1-0) offense heated up. FIU proceeded to go on a 16-1 run through most of the opening period, shooting 8-of-12 (66.7%) from the field to garner a 20-10 advantage going into the second. That deficit would increase as Florida International added three more treys and 18 total points in the second interval, creating a 38-20 difference at the break. 
 
Both offenses produced in the third quarter. Five points by Bre'Anna Rhodes paced the Gamecocks' efforts in the period, but a late burst by the Panthers stretched the lead back out. A 56-38 FIU lead heading to the final stanza grew as reserves gained playing time, resulting in a 75-50 finish. 
 
Barnes, who suffered a concussion at Mississippi State on Nov. 12, set career highs with 14 points, four blocks, and three three-pointers at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Bre'Anna Rhodes added nine points and three rebounds and Rachel Johnson ended up with seven points, eight boards, and a steal. 
 
"Without (Barnes), it would've been even uglier," Pietri said. "Mya really stepped up for us. Hopefully there's more to come with that."
 
The Gamecocks shot 34.5% from the field and 6-of-19 (31.6%) from deep. FIU out-rebounded them 43-34 and forced 20 turnovers in the game.  
 
Jax State returns to Pete Mathews Coliseum on Wed., Jan. 10 to host Liberty in their Conference USA home opener. That matchup in Jacksonville will tip-off at 6:30 p.m. and it will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Gamecock Sports Network. 
 
Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats for that game will be provided at JaxStateSports.com. In addition, score updates will be posted on Jax State Women's Basketball's X account (@JaxStateWBB).  

To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.