Gunnels' Double-Double Sparks Panthers to Road Win

Sunday, February 10

Valparaiso, Ind.

11 a.m.

University of Northern Iowa

15-8 (8-3)

Valparaiso University

6-17 (2-9)

UNI

Valparaiso

Photo by: Jason Rubin / JMRImages

Gunnels' Double-Double Sparks Panthers to Road Win

2/10/2019 1:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. – Three Panthers scored in double figured, including a double-double by Bre Gunnels to lead UNI to a 64-56 road win over Valparaiso Sunday in Indiana.

The Panthers led 23-21 in the first half but were just 9-28 (32.1 percent) from the field before the break. That would change in the second half.

UNI hit 13-27 (48.1 percent) from the field in the second half and pulled away for the eight-point win.

Karli Rucker scored 10 of her 14 points after the break. Gunnels scored 11, just one short of her career high to go with a game-high 10 rebounds. Nicole Kroeger scored a season-high 11.

Heidi Hillyard and Abby Gerrits also added eight points each.

UNI is now 15-8 and 8-3 in MVC play. Valparaiso falls to 6-17 overall and 2-9 in league.

PLAYER OF THE GAME...
Bre Gunnels did what she does best - rebounded the basketball. She racked up 10 rebounds but also was efficient on the offense, shooting 3-4 and 2-3 from the three-point line. She also added 3-4 from the charity stripe.

STAT OF THE GAME…
When pre-season all-conference center Megan Maahs went down with an injury during the non-conference schedule, there was some concern on how the Panthers would do rebounding the basketball. Coach Tanya Warren said at the time that the guards would have to step up. They have and they proved it again Sunday. UNI outrebounded Valpo 44-31 and along with Gunnels' 10, Karli Rucker and Cynthia Wolf added seven and Michaela Morgan had six.

NOTES:
- The Panthers are now 5-1 on the road in Valley play with just three games left in outside of the McLeod Center for the regular season.
- Nicole Kroeger scored a season-high with 11 points but also had a career-high 37 minutes on the court.
- Bre Gunnels tied her career and season high of 27 minutes with her strong performance against Kansas State earlier this season.
- Karli Rucker continues her stellar sophomore season. She averaged 12 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists over the weekend.

UP NEXT: The Panthers continue the road swing with a game at Drake next Friday in Des Moines at 6 p.m. before playing four of the final six regular-season games at home.