Panthers Record 65-51 Win Over Redbirds

Friday, January 15

Cedar Falls, Iowa

7 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

9-7, 4-1

Illinois State

3-12, 1-3

Illinois State

UNI

Panthers Record 65-51 Win Over Redbirds

1/15/2016 9:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team recorded a 65-51 victory over Illinois State on Friday night, improving to 9-7 overall and 4-1 in league play.

UNI had four double-digit scorers against the Redbirds, with Stephanie Davison scoring a season-high 15 points along with seven rebounds. Amber Sorenson and Jen Keitel chipped in 14 points each with Madison Weekly adding 13.

The Panthers jumped out to a 9-0 lead to start the first quarter, holding the Redbirds scoreless till the 6:44 mark. UNI then went cold from the field, going on a scoring drought that allowed Illinois State to make it a five-point game with less than three minutes to play in the quarter.

UNI started the second quarter up 17-11 before extending it to a 10-point lead when Sharnae Lamar and Keitel linked up in the lane for an easy bucket with 7:33 on the clock. The Panthers kept its double-digit advantage after Keitel turned it into a 6-0 run all coming off her hand to make it 25-13 with 6:19 on the clock.

UNI ended the quarter on a 7-0 run while holding Illinois State 0-for-7 from the field, giving UNI a 37-21 lead at half. The Panthers help Illinois State to just 28 percent shooting during the first half while forcing either turnovers.

UNI took a 19-point lead early in the third quarter when Sorenson hit a three-pointer to make it 42-23 with 7:17 left in the period. The Panthers stayed hot from the field in the third quarter, shooting 53 percent from the field and 60 percent from the arc to take a 54-39 lead heading into the final quarter of the game.

Illinois State was able to whittle away at the UNI lead in the fourth quarter, making it a 10-point game with four straight points before Keitel could end UNI's drought with a layup at the 7:09 mark to give UNI a 56-44 lead. Davison kept the Panthers momentum running late in the quarter, scoring nine points in a two-minute span to put UNI up 65-47.

The run by Davison was enough to keep the Redbirds at bay, grabbing the 65-51 victory. UNI will return to action on Sunday, Jan. 17 when they host the Indiana State Sycamores at 2 p.m. CT.

Post-Game Notes vs. Illinois State

Jen Keitel finished the game with 14 points, two rebounds, one assist, two blocks and a career-high three steals. Her two blocks advanced her into sixth all-time at UNI in career blocks, passing Erin Brocka (2007-11) with 89.
Stephanie Davison scored a season-high 15 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field while adding seven rebounds and three assists. Davison was only averaging 4.7 points during non-conference play and is now averaging 8.8 in MVC games.
Sharnae Lamar came away with a game-high eight assists, her second consecutive game with five-or-more dimes.
UNI had just eight turnovers against Illinois State, its fifth game in the last six to have 10-or-less. UNI is averaging a league-low 9.0 turnovers per game in Valley play.
UNI's 10 blocks against Illinois State is a season-high and was just two shy of breaking the school record for team blocks in a game (12 at Bradley, 2/15/03). It was the most blocks in a game by the Panthers since 2006 when UNI posted 10 against Missouri State on March 11.