Thursday, March 7
Cedar Falls, Iowa
7 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Bradley University
Panthers Top Bradley to Lock Up Third Seed
3/8/2019 1:27:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Mikaela Morgan buried a jumper with just over a minute remaining in the game to give the UNI women a 58-57 lead over Bradley and the Panther defense held the Braves scoreless for the remainder of the game to earn a 61-57 win Thursday night in the McLeod Center.
The win, combined with Illinois State's loss to Drake locks UNI in at the third spot in the MVC Conference Championship next week in Moline.
The game was a back and forth battle for most of the game with UNI going on runs before Bradley answered.
The Panthers built a 22-11 lead after the first quarter and extended the lead to 25-13 in the second quarter before the Bradley rallied with an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 25-21 with 5:14 left in the second. UNI led 34-27 at the break.
In the third, Bradley cut the lead to 36-34, but the Panthers went on an 8-2 run, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Bre Gunnels, to extend the lead back to 44-36.
The Panthers extended the lead to 48-38 early in the fourth before Bradley went on a 19-8 run to take the lead on a three-pointer with 1:32 remaining, the only lead of the game for the Braves.
UNI answered with Morgan's clutch jumper to retake the lead and never looked back en route to the four-point win.
The Panthers are now 19-10 overall and 12-5 in MVC play.
UNI was 22-65 (34.4 percent) from the field and 9-12 (75 percent) from the free throw line. The Panthers took care of the ball and gave up just 11 turnovers.
Karli Rucker led the way with 15 points, Morgan added 12 and Taylor Hagen scored 11.
The Panthers dominated the boards with a 46-35 advantage, including 17 offensive boards. Rucker had a team-high nine rebounds, but three other Panthers had eight.
NOTES
- Ellie Howell returned to the lineup after missing the last seven games sidelined with an injury. She played 10 minutes and tallied an assist and a block.
- With tonight's win, the Panthers sweep the regular season series against Bradley. The Panthers won in overtime in Peoria on Jan. 8. UNI has now won 16 straight over the Braves.
- The Panthers did not make a trip to the free throw line until the 7:21 mark in the fourth quarter.
- UNI is one win away from 20 wins this season. It would be the fourth time that a Tanya Warren coached team hit the 20-win plateau and the sixth in program history.
UP NEXT
The Panthers host Illinois State Saturday at 2 p.m. to close out the regular season. Prior to the game, UNI will honor seniors Ellie Howell, Taylor Hagen and Mikaela Morgan.
The win, combined with Illinois State's loss to Drake locks UNI in at the third spot in the MVC Conference Championship next week in Moline.
The game was a back and forth battle for most of the game with UNI going on runs before Bradley answered.
The Panthers built a 22-11 lead after the first quarter and extended the lead to 25-13 in the second quarter before the Bradley rallied with an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 25-21 with 5:14 left in the second. UNI led 34-27 at the break.
In the third, Bradley cut the lead to 36-34, but the Panthers went on an 8-2 run, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Bre Gunnels, to extend the lead back to 44-36.
The Panthers extended the lead to 48-38 early in the fourth before Bradley went on a 19-8 run to take the lead on a three-pointer with 1:32 remaining, the only lead of the game for the Braves.
UNI answered with Morgan's clutch jumper to retake the lead and never looked back en route to the four-point win.
The Panthers are now 19-10 overall and 12-5 in MVC play.
UNI was 22-65 (34.4 percent) from the field and 9-12 (75 percent) from the free throw line. The Panthers took care of the ball and gave up just 11 turnovers.
Karli Rucker led the way with 15 points, Morgan added 12 and Taylor Hagen scored 11.
The Panthers dominated the boards with a 46-35 advantage, including 17 offensive boards. Rucker had a team-high nine rebounds, but three other Panthers had eight.
NOTES
- Ellie Howell returned to the lineup after missing the last seven games sidelined with an injury. She played 10 minutes and tallied an assist and a block.
- With tonight's win, the Panthers sweep the regular season series against Bradley. The Panthers won in overtime in Peoria on Jan. 8. UNI has now won 16 straight over the Braves.
- The Panthers did not make a trip to the free throw line until the 7:21 mark in the fourth quarter.
- UNI is one win away from 20 wins this season. It would be the fourth time that a Tanya Warren coached team hit the 20-win plateau and the sixth in program history.
UP NEXT
The Panthers host Illinois State Saturday at 2 p.m. to close out the regular season. Prior to the game, UNI will honor seniors Ellie Howell, Taylor Hagen and Mikaela Morgan.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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