MIAMI - Lightning didn't strike twice for the FIU women's basketball team on Saturday night. After battling back from a 15-point deficit with less than eight minutes remaining in the second half, the Golden Panthers' attempt at a comeback victory for the second consecutive game fell short as they lost a 61-59 decision to Troy.

The Trojans (9-5, 2-3) put together an 11-4 run to take a 49-34 lead with 7:21 remaining in the game, but FIU (7-10, 2-4) refused to go down quietly. After shrinking the gap to four points with three seconds to go, senior point guard Michelle Gonzalez was fouled on a three-point attempt. She converted the first two before purposely missing the third, but the Golden Panthers did not secure the rebound and Troy escaped with the win.

Senior Monika Bosilj led the team with a game-high 19 points, Gonzalez contributed 18 and senior forward Marquita Adley posted 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds off the bench. Tenia Manuel led the Trojans with 18 points, including four clutch free throws in the last 16 seconds to seal the win.

Neither team got into an offensive rhythm in the first half as both converted just seven field goals, but Troy capitalized by scoring 14 points off FIU turnovers.

Bosilj drained a three-pointer with 3:41 remaining to give FIU an 18-16 lead, but FIU would fail to score the remainder of the half. The Golden Panthers stayed in the game with their hardnosed attitude, bringing down 13 offensive boards to outrebound Troy 23-10. Perhaps no other play showed FIU's resolve more than when forward Fanni Hutlassa chipped half her tooth while diving for an offensive rebound with roughly two minutes to go.

Kirsten Smith hit a three-pointer with 1:15 remaining to give the Trojans a 19-18 lead at the half.

The Trojans did not start to pull away until halfway through the second period when they rode an 11-4 run to take a 15-point lead. FIU turned things around at the 7-minute mark after forcing a turnover. Gonzalez and Hutlassa swished consecutive three pointers before Hutlassa stole the ball that led to a Bosilj three with 3:49 to go to close the gap, 51-47.

Troy hit two three-pointers to jut back out to a 57-49 lead but allowed Adley to make a basket down low and put Bosilj on the charity stripe. As FIU trailed 57-52, Gonzalez's jumper clanked off the rim and Adley rebounded and put it back up to make it a one possession game.

The Golden Panthers fouled Manuel and she converted both free throws, but Adley responded with a layup despite being fouled. She drained the extra shot with 8.6 seconds left, 59-57.

Manuel once again sank two free throws but the Trojans gave FIU one last chance to tie the game when they fouled Gonzalez on a three-point attempt. Gonzalez made two before purposely missing her third shot, but FIU wasn't able to secure a clean rebound.

The Golden Panthers head to Murfressboro, Tenn., on Wednesday when they will meet Middle Tennessee at 8 p.m. eastern.