University of Northern Iowa
Youngstown State
Hot-Shooting Panthers Claim Thanksgiving Classic Title, 90-73
11/26/2011 1:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team used a hot shooting performance to outscore Youngstown State, 90-73, and claim the tournament title at the Doubletree Los Angeles Westside Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday evening. At 4-1, UNI has its best start to a season since 2005.
The Panthers shot 31-of-63 (49.2 percent) from the field and 11-of-26 (42.3 percent) from beyond the arc on their way to their best offensive output of the young season. Five Panthers scored in double-digits in the contest.
Junior Amber Kirschbaum scored a career-high 24 points and recorded 10 rebounds for her second straight double-double and tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Senior Rachel Madrigal, who was also named to the all-tournament team, tallied 14 points in a game-high 37 minutes.
Senior Katelin Oney added 15 points, K.K. Armstrong had 13, and freshman Brittni Donaldson scored 11 off the bench. Armstrong also recorded eight rebounds and five assists to fill out the stat sheet.
With YSU holding a 15-14 lead at the 12:30 mark of the first half, UNI used a 15-2 run to claim a 29-17 lead it would not relinquish.
Sophomore Jess McDowell doubled her previous career-best for rebounds, pulling down eight boards in 12 minutes of action.
The Panthers held a dominating advantage over the Penguins in rebounding, posting a 44-26 advantage on the glass. Seventeen offensive rebounds helped UNI to a 25-1 edge in second-chance points.
UNI will return home to the McLeod Center for a game with Southeast Missouri State on Thurs., Dec. 1. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
