Dec. 21, 2005
Final Stats
Cedar Falls, Iowa -
University of Northern Iowa women's basketball fell to the Iowa Hawkeyes this evening in the UNI-Dome 65-54. The Panthers were led by senior center Cassie Hager with 17 points and six blocks, tying a season-high swats.
Senior guard Crystal Smith led Iowa with a game-high 22 points. The Panthers had a season-high 15 offensive boards and nine blocks. However, UNI shot a dismal 31.1 percent from the field and 17.2 percent from three-point range, its lowest of the season.
Junior forward Tara King had 10 points and seven rebounds. The Panthers had leads of 4-0 and 10-9 before Iowa took a three-point advantage with two baskets from Smith. UNI stayed within six points throughout much of the first half until the final minute when Smith extended the Hawkeyes' lead to nine (31-22).
UNI generated three field goals in the first 90 seconds of the second half and tied up the game in the first four minutes with baskets from Hager, King and junior Sarah Larsen. It also forced three Iowa turnovers and one block, keeping the Hawkeyes scoreless until a Smith three-pointer 4:20 into the second half. Iowa slowly extended its lead to 12 points with four minutes remaining and despite treys by junior Jessie Biggs and sophomore Megan Keefe, the Panthers were unable to keep up offensively.
Iowa improves to 6-4 and plays Creighton Friday. UNI ends its non-conference season with a 6-3 mark and opens Missouri Valley play Dec. 29 against Creighton in the West Gym.
