WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — Rhema Collins dominated inside with 28 points and 12 rebounds, leading Florida International to a 78-61 victory over Youngstown State in a nonconference women’s basketball game Friday afternoon at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

The Golden Panthers (6-3) seized control with a blistering first-quarter performance and never looked back, handing the Penguins (7-4) their second loss in three games.

The most important stretch of the game came immediately after the opening tip. Florida International, fueled by Collins’ early activity, raced to a 23-15 lead after the first quarter. The Golden Panthers shot 10 of 18 from the field in the period while forcing eight Youngstown State turnovers, establishing a defensive intensity and an offensive rhythm that the Penguins could never fully disrupt. That early eight-point cushion proved critical, as Youngstown State spent the remainder of the game fighting uphill, never getting the deficit below six points.

Collins, a 6-foot-2 forward from Nassau, Bahamas, was the catalyst throughout. She added two assists and two blocks to her double-double, shooting 12 of 22 from the field. Her presence on both ends overwhelmed Youngstown State’s interior, as she consistently scored in the paint, protected the rim, and cleaned the glass. This followed a 16-point performance in a win over Florida Atlantic just four days prior.

Grecia Ferrer Leal of Badalona, Spain, orchestrated the Florida International offense with five assists and added eight points. Denika Lightbourne, also from Nassau, provided 12 points off the bench, and Parris Atkins of Little Rock, Arkansas, chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.

Youngstown State was led by Erica King’s 15 points. The guard from Akron, Ohio, struggled with efficiency, however, making just 5 of 16 shots. Sophia Gregory and Paulina Hernandez each scored nine points, while point guard Casey Santoro dished out nine assists but was hampered by eight turnovers and managed only two points on 0-for-8 shooting.

The Penguins’ offensive struggles were systemic. They shot just 34.9% from the field and 23.8% from three-point range. Their 19 turnovers, matching Florida International’s total, were particularly damaging as they led to 22 points for the Golden Panthers. Florida International, while not sharp from distance either at 3 for 17, dominated points in the paint, outscoring Youngstown State 52-30, a direct reflection of Collins’ influence.

Florida International built its lead to 40-26 by halftime and maintained a double-digit advantage for nearly the entire second half. Youngstown State’s best push came in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 45-39 on a Paulina Hernandez layup with 4:22 remaining. The Golden Panthers responded with a 13-4 run to close the quarter, capped by a Judit Valero three-pointer, to take a 58-43 lead into the final period and effectively seal the game.

The Golden Panthers’ defense held Youngstown State to an offensive rating of 74.3 points per 100 possessions, while Florida International operated at a 90.8 rating on their own offensive end.

Attendance was announced at 126.

Youngstown State faces a quick turnaround, playing Massachusetts on Saturday in Miami. Florida International hosts Florida Atlantic in a rematch on Saturday.