Preview: Sam Houston Bearkats at Florida International Golden Panthers

WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — Two teams jockeying for position in the Conference USA standings will meet Thursday when the Sam Houston Bearkats visit the Florida International Golden Panthers in a women’s basketball matchup.

The game, scheduled for Jan. 22, 2026, at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center, features teams with nearly identical records. Sam Houston enters at 11-5 overall, while Florida International is 10-6.

The Bearkats look to rebound from a narrow 68-67 home loss to Middle Tennessee on Saturday, a game where they let a late lead slip away. Prior to that, Sam Houston had won five straight, including key conference road victories at Liberty and Louisiana Tech.

Florida International arrives on a two-game winning streak, having secured road wins at UTEP (67-59) and New Mexico State (83-74) last week. The Golden Panthers have found their rhythm after a 67-70 home loss to Jacksonville State on Jan. 8.

A key matchup will feature two of the conference’s top performers. Sam Houston is led by guard Fanta Kone, who is coming off a stretch where she averaged 15.2 points and 6.2 assists over her last six games. She recorded a triple-double (14 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists) in an overtime win at Delaware on Jan. 10.

For Florida International, forward Rhema Collins has been on a scoring tear. She averaged 20.5 points over her last four contests, including a 29-point outburst at New Mexico State. Collins also provides a defensive presence, averaging two blocks per game during that span.

Sam Houston’s offense has been efficient during its recent run, but must improve its late-game execution after the Middle Tennessee defeat. Florida International will rely on its home court advantage, where it is 6-2 this season, and its improving defense that held its last two opponents under 75 points.

This contest begins a crucial back-to-back for both squads. Sam Houston travels to face Missouri State on Saturday, while Florida International hosts Louisiana Tech the same day.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST Thursday at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.