UNI’s Second-Half Grit Not Enough Against MSU

Sunday, January 7

Springfield, Missouri

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

6-9 (2-2MVC)

Missouri State

7-8 (3-1MVC)

UNI

Missouri State

UNI’s Second-Half Grit Not Enough Against MSU

1/7/2018 4:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

FINAL STATS

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Despite outscoring Missouri State (7-8, 3-1 MVC) in the second half on Sunday, the University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team (6-9, 2-2 MVC) couldn't overcome a slow start as the Panthers fell to the Bears, 62-52, on the road.

Junior Ellie Howell and sophomore Abby Gerrits each scored 12 points on Sunday to lead the Panthers, while MSU's Aubrey Buckley chipped in 13 for MSU to lead the Bears.

UNI shot a season-low 5-of-25 (20.0%) in the first half on Sunday, before turning it around for a much-improved 15-of-32 (46.9%) in the final 20 minutes. Overall, MSU outshot UNI 37.5% to 35.1%.

The Panthers' first-half struggles were not only shooting the ball, but protecting it as well as UNI committed 15 turnovers in the second half. Much like the shooting turnaround however, the Panthers did a better job of handling the ball in the second half as UNI only committed seven turnovers.

The Panthers began Sunday's game with a sluggish start, as the Bears jumped ahead with an 18-7 lead after the first period. The scoring came to a halt for both teams in the second quarter, as the two squads combined for one made basket over the first five minutes of the period.

After a nearly nine-minute scoring drought for UNI, the Panthers finally put together a flurry of buckets at the end of the half to trim MSU's lead to 27-15 at the break. The 8-3 run at the end of the half was spurred on by bench scoring, as Nicole Kroeger (3-pointer), Gerrits (3-pointer) and Taylor Hagen (2-pointer) closed out the quarter with a trio of baskets.

Coming out of the locker room, the Panthers raced out to a 13-2 run as UNI cut the MSU lead to just a point. The Bears took momentum back however, after responding with a 9-0 run to retake control of the game midway through the third quarter.

Trailing 43-36 entering the fourth quarter, the Panthers didn't back down as UNI continued its relentless effort into the final period. MSU stretched its lead to double digits twice in the fourth quarter, but each time the Panthers would respond to send the deficit back to single digits.

With under 90 seconds to play, the Panthers only trailed 57-50, but the Bears were able hold serve and squeak by with the 60-50 victory at home.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return home next weekend to continue the MVC tilt, with UNI hosting Evansville on Friday at 7 p.m. CT, before taking on Indiana State on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT.

TICKETS
Fans can purchase season and single-game tickets to UNI women's basketball home games through UNITIX. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.UNITIX.uni.edu.

SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the UNI women's basketball program, follow the Panthers on Twitter at "@UNIWBB" and on Facebook at "UNI Women's Basketball."

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak over Missouri State.
The 15-point first half for UNI was its lowest output of the season.
The 12-point performance for Abby Gerrits was a season-high.
Ellie Howell has now earned seven games in double-figures this season, with three of those coming in MVC Play.