Panthers Fall in Final Game of Preseason WNIT

Sunday, November 18

DeKalb, Ill.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

Northern Illinois University

UNI

Northern Ill.

Panthers Fall in Final Game of Preseason WNIT

11/18/2018 10:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

DEKALB, Ill. – UNI women's basketball shrugged off a slow start but failed to overcome a big early deficit falling to the University of Northern Illinois 70-59 Sunday afternoon at the Convocation Center in the final game of the Preseason WNIT.

The Huskies opened with a 9-0 run and built a 17-4 lead after the first quarter. NIU extended the lead to 23-4 before the Panthers cut the lead back to 33-24 at the half. Northern Illinois opened the second half on a 10-2 run to take a 45-26. The Panthers cut the lead to single digits in the final minutes of the game, but the NIU lead was too much to overcome.

Karli Rucker was continued her strong play with 22 points on 8-18 shooting from the field and 4-8 shooting from the three-point line. She remains perfect on the season from the free throw line going 2-2 Sunday.

Taylor Hagen picked up a double-double off the bench. She went 8-10 from the field for 16 points and tallied a game-high 11 rebounds.

Errin Hodges led NIU with 17 points. Three other Husky players scored in double figures.

The win drops the Panthers to 1-2 on the season. UNI has the opportunity to get back to .500 Tuesday when they host Creighton at the McLeod Center at 6 p.m.

Fans that bring a non-perishable food item to the game will receive free admission to the game.