Florida Atlantic women’s basketball could not hold onto its halftime lead at Florida International University on Saturday, losing its third straight game to begin conference play.

The Owls (4-10, 0-3 Conference USA) were led by junior Malia Kency’s 14-first quarter points as they jumped out to a 23-19 lead at the end of the quarter, and a 36-31 advantage at halftime.

The Golden Panthers (3-11, 1-2 Conference USA) scored 13 of the first 15 points to open the third quarter and FAU was never able to capture the lead back.

Sophomore Kristian Hudson scored the Panthers first and last baskets of the third quarter, part of 10 points in the period. She finished with a game-high 21 points and nine assists.

Kency scored a team-high 19 points and junior Sasha Cedeno added 15 of her own.

FAU has now lost seven of its last eight games. The Owls will have five days off before their next chance for their first conference win when they host the University of Texas at San Antonio on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.

Brendan Feeney is the managing editor of the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @feeney42.