HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — A key Conference USA women’s basketball matchup with postseason implications is set for Saturday when the Sam Houston Bearkats host the Florida International Golden Panthers at Johnson Coliseum. The Bearkats (15-7 overall) enter the contest with a slight edge in the standings and are looking to avenge a 66-60 road loss to the Golden Panthers on Jan. 22. Sam Houston is coming off a 74-67 home victory over Missouri State on Thursday, led by a standout performance from guard Fanta Kone, who scored 19 points and dished eight assists. Kone has been a consistent force for Sam Houston, averaging 11.7 points and 5.2 assists over her last six games. Her backcourt battle with FIU’s Grecia Ferrer Leal will be pivotal. In the January meeting, Ferrer Leal’s nine points helped secure the Golden Panthers’ win. Florida International (14-9) aims to bounce back from a tough 71-49 road loss at Louisiana Tech on Thursday. Despite the defeat, Ferrer Leal has been a versatile contributor, nearly posting a triple-double with 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 60-58 win over Middle Tennessee on Feb. 7. The Golden Panthers have shown resilience, winning four of their last seven conference games. Their defense, which forced 18 Sam Houston turnovers in the first matchup, will be tested by a Bearkats’ offense that has scored 70 or more points in three of its last five outings. With both teams jockeying for position in the crowded Conference USA race, Saturday’s rematch offers Sam Houston a chance to defend its home court and split the season series, while FIU seeks a crucial road sweep to solidify its conference tournament seeding. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CST on Feb. 14.