University of Northern Iowa
Evansville
Panthers Top Aces 58-47, Advance to Semifinals to face Illinois State
3/10/2005 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 10, 2005
The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team advanced to the Semifinals of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference 2005 Women's Basketball Tournament today with a 58-47 victory over Evansville University. No. 4 seed UNI outscored the fifth seeded Purple Aces in the second half 33-22.
Junior guard Amanda Faas helped spark the Panthers with career-highs of 15 points and nine rebounds while junior center Cassie Hager led all scorers with 15 points and a new MVC tournament record seven blocked shots. Sophomore guard Jessie Biggs added 11 points while senior guard Emily Berry tallied nine points and senior forward Alex Cook chipped in seven points and 10 rebounds.
UNI opened up the game with a 12-2 run but the Purple Aces battled back to even the score at 25 at the break. The Panthers struggled turning the ball over 13 times in the first half but recovered to commit only four in the second half.
The Panthers improve to 20-10 on the season and will face 8th-seeded Illinois State on their home court tomorrow in the semifinals at 8:30 p.m. The Redbirds became the first eight seed ever to beat the number one seed in the MVC tournament.
