UNI Pummels Valpo for 76-53 Road Victory

Thursday, March 1

Valparaiso, Indiana

7 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

16-12 (12-5)

Valparaiso

12-16 (5-12)

UNI

Valparaiso

UNI Pummels Valpo for 76-53 Road Victory

3/1/2018 9:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

FINAL STATS

VALPARAISO, Indiana – The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team (16-12, 12-5 MVC) had no trouble with Valparaiso (12-16, 5-12 MVC) on Thursday night, as the Panthers posted a dominating, 76-53 victory over the Crusaders.
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The Panthers never trailed on Thursday night, leading by as much as 34 late in the third quarter as UNI improved to 16-12 overall and 12-5 in MVC action. The victory for UNI also marked its first win at Valpo since downing the Crusaders 82-72 on Dec. 12, 1992.

UNI shot 40% from the floor, while holding Valpo to just 31% on the night. The Panthers also showed superiority on the glass, outrebounding the Crusaders, 41-38.

UNI was led by senior Kennedy Kirkpatrick, who scored 15 points on Thursday and added three assists as well from the point position. Sophomore Megan Maahs posted her 11th double-double of the season, after scoring 13 points and hauling in 13 rebounds. Junior Ellie Howell rounded out the double-figure scoring after chipping in 11 points on the night.

The Panthers got after the Crusaders early on Thursday night, as UNI built a 15-point lead following a 13-2 run to close out the first quarter. UNI didn't squander its largest first-quarter cushion of the season however, as the Panthers pushed their lead to 39-19 thanks in part to nine early points from Maahs.

UNI wouldn't let up on the gas coming out of halftime, as the Panthers poured on a 23-point quarter to take a dominating 62-31 lead entering the fourth quarter. UNI emptied the bench in the fourth quarter, playing all 14 Panthers while hanging on to their double-digit lead. The Crusaders outscored the Panthers 22-14 in the final quarter, but to no avail as the early deficit was too much to overcome.

UP NEXT
The Panthers closeout the regular season on Saturday, as UNI takes on Loyola at 1 p.m. CT from Chicago.

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

UNI won its first game at Valparaiso since taking down the Crusaders 82-72 on Dec. 12, 1992.
The Panthers have taken the last three games over the Crusaders, including both meetings this season.
The season sweep over Valpo marks the fifth foe UNI has won both conference contests against, with the other four being Evansville, Indiana State, Illinois State and Bradley.
UNI has won six out of its last seven contests overall.
The 24-9 start for UNI to open the game was the Panthers' largest of the season.
UNI has now outrebounded 22 foes this season, earning a 15-7 record when doing so.
Sophomore Megan Maahs scored 13 points and hauled in 13 rebounds for her 11th double-double of the season.
Maahs has recorded the most double-doubles by any Panther since Alex Cook earned 13 in 2003-04.
Senior Kennedy Kirkpatrick has now scored in double-figures 14 times this year.
Junior Ellie Howell has now earned 17 games in double-figures, with 13 coming in MVC play.
Sophomore Heidi Hillyard earned a career-high five assists on Thursday night.