UNI Women's Basketball Tops Delaware 79-67

Friday, November 9

Cedar Falls, Iowa

8:30 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

1-0

University of Delaware

0-1

DELAWARE

UNI

UNI Women's Basketball Tops Delaware 79-67

11/9/2018 11:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The questions raised by the departure of senior point guard Kennedy Kirkpatrick took just one game to answer. Sophomore point guard Karli Rucker went 8-15 from the field and 8-8 from the free throw line to lead UNI women's basketball to a 79-67 win over Delaware Friday in the opening round of the Preseason WNIT.

With the win, UNI advances to play No. 19 Marquette Sunday in Milwaukee at 1 p.m.

Rucker was one of four Panthers in double figures. Mega Maahs recorded the first double-double of the season with 17 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Ellie Howell was 5-9 from the field to score 15 points and Abby Gerrits added 15 going 8-8 from the line.

The Panthers were 24-61 (39.3 percent) from the field and 26-30 (86.7 percent) from the free throw line. UNI also edged the Blue Hens in rebounds 46-41.

THE TURNING POINT…
Delaware started the game on a 6-0 run, but the Panthers answered the call with a 12-0 run of their own to take a 12-6 lead. UNI never trailed again.

STATS OF THE GAME…
In UNI's lone exhibition game of the year, the Panthers were just 9-16 (56.3 percent) from free throw line. Friday, the Panthers showed that the preseason game was an aberration. UNI went 26-30 (86.7 percent) from the charity stripe and Rucker and Gerrits were both 8-8 from the line.

The Panthers tallied 12 assists with six from Rucker.

PLAYER OF THE GAME…
Rucker showed why head coach Tanya Warren has faith in the sophomore from Eldridge, Iowa. She scored a career-high 21 points, a career-high six assists and appeared to be in complete control of the offense.

UP NEXT…
The Panthers travel to Milwaukee to play No. 19 Marquette in the second round of the Preseason WNIT. The Golden Eagles rolled over Montana State 100-52 in their opening round game. Six players scored in double figures led by Allazia Blockton with 23 points on 10-12 shooting from the field.