Second Half Rally Gives UNI 53-42 Win Over Sycamores

Sunday, January 17

Cedar Falls, Iowa

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

10-7, 5-1

Indiana State

6-10, 2-3

Indiana State

UNI

Second Half Rally Gives UNI 53-42 Win Over Sycamores

1/17/2016 4:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team rallied from a nine-point deficit in the second half to post a 53-42 win over Indiana State on Sunday. The Panthers improved to 10-7 overall and 5-1 in league play.

Madison Weekly led the team with 14 points while also tying her career-high in rebounds with eight. Amber Sorenson recorded 13 points and six rebounds while Jen Keitel finished with nine points and a season-high 12 boards.

The Panthers took a 6-0 lead to start the first quarter, holding Indiana State scoreless until the 5:15 mark when Joyea Marshall knocked down a three-pointer. The Sycamores turned it into an 8-0 run, holding UNI scoreless for over five minutes in return, taking an 8-6 lead heading into the second quarter.

Indiana State jumped out to a seven-point lead early in the second quarter, but Weekly's deep three with 4:54 on the clock make it 16-12, cutting it back down to a four-point game. UNI continued to struggle from the field, shooting just 18-percent from the field, giving the Sycamores a 26-20 lead heading into halftime.

The Panthers gained some rhythm in the third quarter, scoring six straight points, including a mid-range jumper at the 6:09 mark to tie the score 26-26. The run by the Panthers caused a shootout late in the quarter, with UNI shooting 50-percent from the field in the third.

UNI took its first lead since the first quarter when Weekly converted on two free throws, making it 36-33 with less than three minutes to play in the third. It was part of an 8-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from Mikaela Morgan, giving UNI a 39-33 advantage with 1:07 on the clock.

The Panther defense stayed stingy in the fourth quarter, forcing Indiana State to two turnovers and no field goals until the 5:31 mark, allowing UNI to take a 43-35 lead. The Sycamores kept it an eight-point game with a free, but Sharnae Lamar answered with a three-pointer with 1:55 left in the game to make the score 49-38. Indiana State was unable to make up ground in the final minute, giving UNI the 53-42 win.

UNI will return to action on Sunday, Jan. 24 when they play the Drake Bulldogs in Des Moines, Iowa. The game is set to tip off at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN3.

Post-Game Notes vs. Indiana State

UNI finished the game shooting 92.3 percent from the free throw line against Indiana State, a season-high for the Panthers. It is the third straight game that the Panthers have shot 80-percent or higher from the line.
Madison Weekly finished with eight rebounds against Indiana State, tying her career-high that she set against Iowa State this season.
The Panther out-rebounded Indiana State 44-37, allowing just one second-chance point scored by the Sycamores.
Jen Keitel finished with a season-high 12 rebounds against Indiana State, one shy of her career-high of 13 set against Drake last season. It is the 13^th game out of the last 14 that she has had five or more rebounds.