UNI Cruises Past Loyola 70-50

Friday, January 31

Cedar Falls, Iowa

6:30 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

12-7,4-4MVC

Loyola

13-6,4-4MVC

Loyola Chicago

UNI

UNI Cruises Past Loyola 70-50

1/31/2020 9:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI women's basketball doubled up Loyola in the first half and held on to top the Ramblers 70-50 Friday evening at the McLeod Center.

The Panthers allowed just eight points in the first quarter and 10 in the second while racking up 43 points on 17-29 shooting (53.8%) in the first half, including 7-13 (53.8%) from the three-point line.

Karli Rucker tallied 12 points in the first half, including a layup at the buzzer to give UNI a 43-18 advantage at the break.

UNI lost offensive rhythm in the third quarter, hitting just 4-14 (28.6%) from the field, but the Panther defense held Loyola to just 13 points and helped UNI maintain a 24-point lead after three.

The Panthers cruised down the stretch for the 20-point win.

UNI closed the game 26-57 (45.6%) from the field and 10-28 (35.7%) from the three-point line. The Panthers held Loyola to 21-61 (43.75%) from the field and 2-13 (15.4%) from the three-point line. UNI tallied 14 assists and eight blocks for the game.

Karli Rucker scored 15 points while Abby Gerrits added 10.

UNI is now 12-7 overall and 4-4 in MVC play with one game to play in the first half of the conference stretch.

NOTES
- Abby Gerrits made her first start since Nov. 11, 2018. She scored 10 points, hitting double-digits for the third time this season.
- The Panthers dominated the first 16 minutes on the defensive end, allowing Loyola to score just 13 points on 6-35 shooting, recording four blocks and forcing six steals.
- Cynthia Wolf tied her career-high with three blocks all of them came in the first half.
- Cailyn Morgan tallied a career-high four points.
- UNI is now 7-0 at home this season. This is the longest streak at home to start the season since the 1980-81 season when the Panthers won 10 consecutive home games to start the year.

UP NEXT
UNI looks to continue its undefeated home streak when it hosts Valparaiso Sunday at 2 p.m. at the McLeod Center. Valparaiso is 11-8 on the year and 3-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play after dropping their Friday game at Drake, 87-66.