Panthers Fall 61-56 to Bluejays

Saturday, March 4

Omaha, Neb.

3:05 PM

University of Northern Iowa

Creighton

Panthers Fall 61-56 to Bluejays

3/4/2006 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

By: UNI Athletics Communications

March 4, 2006

Box Score

Omaha, Neb. -

University of Northern Iowa women's basketball will take the No. 3 seed into the Missouri Valley Conference after falling 61-56 to the Creighton Bluejays this afternoon. Three Panthers scored in double figures and junior guard Jessie Biggs (Ottumwa, Iowa) led the squad with 15 points, going 4-of-9 from the field and hitting six free throws.

Junior forward Tara King (Ottumwa, Iowa) added 15 points and five rebounds and Traci Ollendieck (Cresco, Iowa) had 11 points. Senior forward Angie Janis led the Bluejays with 18 points and 11 rebounds and sophomore Ally Thrall had 14 points.

Creighton outrebounded the Panthers 44-32 and UNI shot 37.0 percent from the field to the `Jays 38.6 percent. After a 10-9 UNI lead in the first half, Creighton went on an 11-0 run and pushed ahead 20-10. The 'Jays held on to the advantage, taking a 33-22 lead into the break.

Highlighted with treys by King and Ollendieck, UNI mounted a 10-0 run and came within one, 37-36, with 14:06 remaining in the second half. Biggs tied the score, 47-47, with a three and gave UNI the lead, 49-47, with 6:51 left. The Panthers held the lead until Thrall tied the game at 53-all. Biggs gave UNI its final lead and final basket with 2:37 remaining on a conventional three-point play. The Bluejays went on to outscore the Panthers 6-0 and break their 13-game losing streak.

UNI finished the regular-season 18-9, 12-6 in the MVC.