Panthers win lone exhibition contest against Truman State 83-58

Tuesday, November 2

Cedar Falls, Iowa

6 PM

University of Northern Iowa

0-0,0-0MVC

Truman State University

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Truman

UNI

Panthers win lone exhibition contest against Truman State 83-58

11/2/2021 8:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Despite a slow start, the UNI women's basketball team found its groove with a 83-58 win over the Truman State Bulldogs.

The Panthers would trade the lead back and forth with the Bulldogs throughout the first quarter. Guard Karli Rucker tallied the first point for the Panthers with a jump shot. UNI would hold onto the lead until the last minute of the first quarter when Truman State had their best run of the game, scoring seven unanswered points.

The Bulldogs would continue to use the momentum at the end of the first quarter to take their largest lead of the game in the second. But the Panthers would go on a nine-point run midway through the second quarter to regain the lead. UNI would not surrender the lead for the rest of the game as the team solidified their offensive attack. In the second quarter, the Panthers would go 9-16 (56.3%) from the field and 2-4 (50%) from the free throw line.

But it was the second half where the Panthers really shined as they combined for over 50% from the floor, 60% from the free throw line, and 38% from behind the arc. UNI would have their first double-digit lead of the game in the third quarter when center Grace Boffeli made a second chance layup in the paint. The Panthers lead would continue to grow with a nine-point scoring run at the end of the third to lead the Bulldogs, 59-44.

The fourth quarter was the best offensively for UNI, as they made 57% of their shots from all locations on the court. The Panthers particularly excelled from the floor, making 8-13 (61.5%) of their field goal attempts. Boffeli continued her strong presence in the fourth quarter with six points and three rebounds.

As a team, the Panthers were 33-61 (54%) from the field, 8-24 (33%) from the three-point line, and 9-16 (56%) from the free throw line. The majority of UNI's points came in the paint with 36. And it was a well rounded offensive game for the Panthers as contributions from UNI's bench made up for 50% of the team's scoring as 12 players recorded at least two points. The Panthers had 35 rebounds, forcing 21 points on turnovers, and only surrendering the ball 14 times through 40 minutes.

IndividuallyB, offeli and center Cynthia Wolf led the Panthers with 14 points each. Boffeli would make five rebounds while Wolf grabbed four. Forward Bre Gunnels excelled on the defensive side of the ball with eight rebounds, one block and one steal.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers will have their first game of the regular season next week in St. Louis. The rematch of the WNIT Rockford Regional Finals between UNI and the St. Louis Billikins is on Tuesday, Nov. 9. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. from Chaifetz Arena.