University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
8-4 (1-0MVC)
Missouri State
4-8 (0-1MVC)
Panthers Open MVC Season With 61-54 Win Over MSU
12/30/2016 9:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team opened up Missouri Valley Conference play on Friday night, picking up a 61-54 win over the Missouri State Lady Bears. UNI improved to 8-4 on the season and 1-0 in the MVC.
Despite a low shooting percentage to start the game, UNI finished with four players in double-figures, including Ellie Herzberg who led the team with 13 points. Madison Weekly added 12 points and four assists while Mikaela Morgan turned in 11. Taylor Hagen rounded out UNI's double-digit scorers with a career-high 10 points and seven rebounds.
Both teams started the game extremely cold from the field, shooting a combined 3-for-19 from the floor. UNI didn't score its first field goal until the 5:22 mark, shooting just 8-percent from the field in the first five minutes of the game. UNI made it a one-point game with 2:46 on the clock with two free throws from Morgan, but the Lady Bears improved its shooting to take a 13-10 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Panthers quickly got back into the swing of things, taking a 16-15 lead with back-to-back jumpers from Weekly and Kennedy Kirkpatrick at the 7:23 mark in the second quarter. UNI never trailed in the game again, despite the Lady Bears tying the score 18-18 with a jump shot from Alex Willard with 5:41 on the clock. Hagen gave UNI a five-point lead with consecutive baskets with less than three minutes to play in the quarter, but Willard knocked down a basket to send UNI into halftime up 26-23.
UNI shot 47-percent from the floor in the third quarter with Hagen scoring six of her 10 points during the period. Morgan opened the quarter with UNI's first three-pointer of the game, making it 31-25 with 7:41 left on the clock. Missouri State kept the game close in the third quarter, quickly countering with jumpers of their own, but UNI was able to keep its composure and head into the fourth quarter up 44-40.
Herzberg took over in the fourth quarter, scoring eight of her 13 points, shooting 3-for-3 from the field, including 2-for-2 from the three. UNI's largest lead of the game came at the heels of a three from Herzberg and a jumper from Weekly to give the Panthers a 49-40 advantage. Missouri State went on a 7-2 run late in the quarter to cut UNI's lead to four, but Herzberg answered with a three-pointer, eventually sealing the 61-54 win.
UNI returns to action on Sunday, Jan. 1 when they bring in the New Year at Wichita State. The game is set to tip at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN3. Fans can also follow along with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on UNIPanthers.com or on 1540 KXEL.
Post-Game Notes vs. Missouri State
- Taylor Hagen scored a career-high 10 points against Missouri State, also adding a career-high seven rebounds.
- Senior Hannah Schonhardt finished with a season-high 13 rebounds. Her career-high is 17 against Drake in 2014.
- Madison Weekly scored five field goals against the Lady Bears. She is ranked No. 8 all-time at UNI in career field goals made with 471 through 104 games.
- UNI is 6-4 in MVC openers under the direction of Tanya Warren, including three consecutive seasons with conference opening wins.
