Second-Half Surge Leads Panthers to 61-50 Win

Saturday, November 9

Wichita, Kan.

5 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

2-0,0-0MVC

Wichita State

0-1,0-0AAC

UNI

Wichita St.

Second-Half Surge Leads Panthers to 61-50 Win

11/9/2019 10:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: by Hannah Fowler - UNI Communications Intern

Wichita, Kan.– UNI women's basketball overcame a second-half deficit to earn a 61-50 road win over Wichita State and improve to 2-0 on the season.

Wichita State led most of the first half until a three-pointer from Abby Gerrits tied both teams up at 15 at the end of the first quarter. The Shockers outscored the Panthers 13-9 in the second quarter to take a 28-24 lead into the half.

The Panthers closed the third quarter on a 6-0 run to give UNI a 42-39 lead heading into the final frame. WSU cut the Panther lead to one, but Karli Rucker responded with a three-pointer with 7:46 remaining to give UNI a 45-41 lead, and the Panthers never looked back. UNI pulled away down the stretch to earn the 11-point win.

Three Panthers scored in double figures, including Rucker with a game-high 18, Megan Maahs and Kam Finley each added 11 points of their own. Nine total Panthers scored. Bre Gunnels tallied a game-high eight rebounds.

After a slow offensive first half, Rucker found her rhythm. She scored 17 of her 18 points in the second half to spur the Panthers to the win. She was 5-12 from the field and 7-8 from the line.

The Panthers were 19-48 (39.6%) from the field and 5-22 (22.7%) from the three-point line. UNI shot 90% (18-20) from the free-throw line.

Wichita State shot 18-60 (30%) from the field and 1-12 (8.3%) from the three-point line. Three Wichita State players scored in double figures. Trajata Colbert led the way for the Shockers with 12 points.

The Panthers outrebounded WSU 44-31.

UNI is 2-0 on the season for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

NOTES
- Karli Rucker has scored double figures in her last five games dating back to last year. She has also scored in double figures in 18 of her last 20 games.
- Abby Gerrits returned to the lineup after missing the first game with an illness. She was 2-2 from the three-point line for six points.
- Through two games, UNI is 45-52 (86.5%) from the free-throw line.
- As a conference, the Valley is off to a hot start to the 2019-20 season as MVC teams have combined to go 11-1 during the opening week.
- Kam Finley is second on the team with 24 total points so far this season. She returned after missing the last seven weeks of last season with an injury.
- After shooting 7-24 (29.2%) from the field in the first half, UNI was 12-24 (50%) after the break.
- Through Two games, UNI has held its opponents to 41-119 (34.5%) from the field and 6-26 (23.1%) from the three-point line.
- The Panthers have now won five straight games against the Shockers, dating back to the 2015-16 season.

UP NEXT
The Panthers travel to Missouri Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the first meeting with MIZZOU since the 2015 season. Missouri opens the season against Nebraska sunday.