Sensational Effort Falls Short Against Drake

Friday, February 16

Cedar Falls, Iowa

7 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

13-12, 9-5

Drake (wear PINK)

19-7, 14-0

Drake

UNI

Sensational Effort Falls Short Against Drake

2/16/2018 9:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

FINAL STATS

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team (13-12, 9-5 MVC) pushed league-leading Drake (19-7, 14-0 MVC) to the limit on Friday night, but the Bulldogs bested the Panthers, 72-67.

The five-point decision against Drake was the closest MVC regular-season game the Bulldogs have had since beating Wichita State 83-78 on Dec. 30, 2016.

The Panthers outscored the Bulldogs 16-10 in the third quarter to close the gap to 51-49 entering the fourth quarter, but Drake inched ahead in the final period to score a 72-67 victory. The win gave Drake its 36th-straight victory in MVC regular-season action.

UNI was led by the sophomore duo of Megan Maahs and Rose Simon-Ressler, who each posted a double-double. Maahs matched her career-high in points and rebounds after earning 16 points and 16 boards on Friday. Rose Simon-Ressler scored 16 points as well, while grabbing 10 rebounds for her second-career double-double.

The Panthers got off to a great start on Friday as UNI jumped out to a 12-6 lead in the first quarter after Kennedy Kirkpatrick and Maahs each chipped in six points. The Bulldogs would respond soon after to take its first lead of the game, before ending the quarter with a 20-17 advantage. Drake outscored the Panthers 21-16 in the second period to take a 41-33 lead into the break.

Coming out of halftime, UNI raced out to a 10-1 run as the Panthers closed the gap in the third quarter. UNI closed out the period with a Karli Rucker 3-pointer and Maahs basket to cut the deficit to 51-49 entering the fourth quarter.

Nine quick points for the Bulldogs gave Drake back the momentum early in the quarter. Despite trailing, 68-59 with 1:54 left in the quarter, the Panthers would not give up as UNI scored a flurry of baskets to push Drake to the limit. The Panthers would ultimately run out of time, as Drake sealed its five-point win at the charity stripe.

UP NEXT
UNI continues its homestand next weekend, with a pair of games against Illinois State and Bradley on Friday and Sunday.

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 five-point decision was Drake's closest in the MVC since Dec. 30, 2016 against Wichita State, 83-78.
UNI has lost its last five games to Drake.
UNI has now outrebounded 19 foes this season, earning an 12-7 record when doing so.
Sophomore Rose Simon-Ressler has now earned back-to-back double-doubles. The sophomore had none before Sunday's contest.
Sophomore Megan Maahs has now earned 10 double-doubles this season, the most since Alex Cook collected 10 in 2004-05.
Maahs now ranks third all-time at UNI for most rebounds in a season, with 257 on the year.
Maahs is fifth all-time at UNI for most defensive rebounds in a season, with 179.
Senior Kennedy Kirkpatrick has now scored in double-figures 11 times this year.