University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
9-116-5 MVC
Evansville
3-78-13 MVC
UNI Takes Over Second Half In 62-36 Win At Evansville
2/3/2017 9:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Northern Iowa picked up a road win over the Evansville Purple Aces on Friday night, dominating the second half and finishing with a 62-36 victory. The Panthers improved to 16-5 overall and 9-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
It was just a two-point game at halftime, with the Panthers only shooting below 30-percent in the first half. UNI turned it on in the second, outscoring the Purple Aces 36-12 in the second half to seal the win.
The Panthers were led by freshman Abby Gerrits who scored a career-high 18 points in her first collegiate start. She finished the game shooting 6-for-13 from the field while adding a career-high four rebounds. Hannah Schonhardt added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, her third of the season.
Evansville led the Panthers in the first quarter on a product of a 7-0 run early in the quarter, leading by three with 3:08 on the clock. But Gerrits had an answer for the Panthers, scoring a key three-pointer with 34 seconds left in the quarter to take a 13-12 heading into the second.
Angie Davison was 2-for-3 from the three-point line in the second quarter, coming in with well-timed shots to keep the Panthers ahead. Her first three came at the 8:25 mark to put UNI up 18-16, followed by one of her most important shots of the night, hitting a trey at the 2:12 mark to take back the lead from the Purple Aces. UNI ended the half with back-to-back threes from Davison and Schonhardt to lead 26-24.
In the second half, the Panthers were able to put together several large runs on the Purple Aces, proving to be defeating to Evansville. UNI went on an 8-0 run thanks to some conversions on the free throw line by Ellie Herzberg and Madison Weekly, giving UNI a 11-point lead with 3:29 left to play in the third. Herzberg scored seven of her nine points in the third quarter, going 5-for-6 from the charity stripe to give UNI a 39-31 lead.
The fourth quarter was no different. UNI puts together a string of runs, including an 18-2 run that lasted over five minutes, eventually giving UNI the win. The Panthers composure down the line was key in the win with Gerrits putting in eight points in the fourth and Mikaela Morgan knocking down two threes to add integral points to the stat line for the 62-36 win.
The Panthers return to action on Sunday, Feb. 5 when they take on Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. The game is set for a 2 p.m. tip.
Post-Game Notes vs. Evansville
- Abby Gerrits made her first-career start in UNI's win over Evansville. She scored a career-high and team-high 18 points, playing a career-high 26 minutes. She also added a career-high four rebounds.
- Senior Hannah Schonhardt finished the game with one block, cracking the top-10 all-time at UNI in career blocks. She is tied with Alex Cook (2001-05) with 82 each.
- Hannah Schonhardt finished the game against Evansville with a double-double. Her 10 points and 10 rebounds counted for the third double-double this season and the eighth of her career.
- Madison Weekly finished the game with six assists, the 13th straight game with three or more assists.
- Ellie Herzberg scored nine points against the Purple Aces, moving past the 500 career-point mark. She now has 508 career points in 59 career games.
