UNI Holds Off The Bulldogs For 79-73 Win

Sunday, January 24

Des Moines, Iowa

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

11-7, 6-1MVC

Drake

12-6, 5-2MVC

UNI

Drake

Photo by: Chris Donahue

UNI Holds Off The Bulldogs For 79-73 Win

1/24/2016 4:29:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team held off the Bulldogs to pick up a 79-73 win and claim sole possession of first place in the Missouri Valley Conference. UNI is 11-7 overall and 6-1 in league play.

Drake took a one-point lead with 1:38 left in the game, but with a 7-0 run sparked by five straight points from Amber Sorenson, UNI took the advantage back and the win. The Panthers were led by five double-digit scorers including Madison Weekly (25), Stephanie Davison (15), Amber Sorenson (12) and Jen Keitel (10). Sharnae Lamar also turned in a top-performance, finishing the game with 10 points, seven boards and 11 assists for her first career double-double.

The Panthers jumped out to a 7-2 lead early in the first quarter, with Davison scoring UNI's first five points of the game. Drake countered by going on a 9-0 run to take an 11-7 lead, forcing the Panthers to go 2-for-8 from the field while the Bulldogs went a perfect 5-for-5 with 6:01 left in the quarter.

UNI regained the lead after going 4-for-4 from the field that included a deep three from Davison, giving them a 17-13 advantage with 3:45 on the clock in the first. Drake amped up their defense late in the quarter, forcing four turnovers over a two-minute span, cutting the UNI lead to 20-19 heading into the second quarter.

UNI took a five-point lead in the second quarter after four unanswered baskets that included two deep threes from Lamar and Weekly, giving UNI a 32-27 advantage with 6:20 on the clock. The Panthers then went on a 6-0 run to take a 10-point lead with less than three minutes to play in the quarter, sparked by two NBA range threes from Weekly. The junior hit her fourth three of the half to give UNI a 46-37 lead heading into halftime.

The Panthers opened the third quarter on a scoring drought, allowing Drake to make it a six-point game, but UNI kept its composure and went on a 7-0 run to take a 56-42 lead at the 4:48 mark on another three-pointer from Weekly. Both teams struggled from the field late in the quarter before the Bulldogs answered with a 8-0 run of their own, cutting the UNI lead to 56-50 with less than three minutes to play in the quarter.

UNI headed into the final quarter of the game with a 61-55 lead, but with UNI having difficulties shooting, Drake was able to go on a 6-0 run with less than five minutes to play in the quarter, making it a two-point game (70-68). The Bulldogs took their one-point lead at the 1:38 mark, but Sorenson answered with a key three-pointer and a layup with less than a minute to play, eventually sealing UNI's win.
The Panthers return to action on Jan. 29 when they take on Loyola in Chicago. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. on ESPN3.

Post-Game Notes vs. Drake

Sharnae Lamar finished the game against Drake with 11 assists, the 10^th game this season she has had four or more. She finished the game with 10 points and seven rebounds along with her 11 dimes, giving her a double-double for the first time in her career.
UNI tied their season high in assists with 19. The Panthers also had 19 dimes against Illinois State (1/15).
Madison Weekly finished the game with six made three-pointers, tying her career-high in threes made. She recorded 25 points, her 13^th game to reach 20 or more points in her career.
UNI, who is ranked second in the country in fewest turnovers, only had 11 against Drake and outscored the Bulldogs 23-8 on points off turnovers.