UNI women's basketball to take on Tulane, Vanderbilt at Cancun Challenge

UNI vs. Tulane

8 p.m. | Nov. 24
Cancun, Mexico | Hard Rock Riveria Maya Ballroom
FloHoops | Kit McConnico: Play-by-play, Lexi Ayala: Analyst

UNI vs. Vanderbilt

5:30 p.m. | Nov. 25
Cancun, Mexico | Hard Rock Riveria Maya Ballroom
FloHoops | it McConnico: Play-by-play, Lexi Ayala: Analyst

CANCUN, Mexico -- The Panthers will play two games in their annual holiday tournament appearance over Thanksgiving weekend in Mexico.

UNI returns to the Cancun Challenge tournament for the first time in seven years this week. The Panthers will appear in two games over two days taking on the Tulane Green Wave and the Vanderbilt Commodores. This is only UNI's second time playing Tulane and its first game against Vanderbilt in program history.

THE PANTHERS:
- UNI dropped both games against Top 25 teams this past week in the McLeod Center. The Panthers came a three-point shot away from sending their game against No. 7 Iowa State into overtime with a 88-85 loss. UNI also dropped Sunday afternoon's game against Creighton 85-66 after a rough first half.
- The Panthers are in Mexico this week to participate in the Cancun Challenge holiday tournament. This is UNI's second time in the tournament since its inception in 2005. The Panthers were last in the Cancun Challenge in 2015 where they went 1-1 with a 61-58 win against Georgia Tech and a 57-49 loss to Seton Hall.
- UNI has two players in the top 75 in field goal percentage through two weeks of play. Forward Grace Boffeli and point guard Maya McDermott are 54th and 71st in FG% respectively across Division I players. Boffeli is shooting at 60.5% while McDermott is shooting at 57.9%.
- Panther forward Grace Boffeli is ranked in the top 12 in two statistical categories going into Sunday's game. Boffeli is ninth in the nation in free throw chances with 30 attempts at the line. She is also 12th in double-doubles with two, leading the MVC.

THE GREEN WAVE:
- Tulane comes into the Cancun Challenge with a 3-1 record on the season. The Wave's only loss came against Alabama two weeks ago at the end of a three-game home stretch.
- The Wave is coming off its second consecutive victory as it defeated Sam Houston 90-51 at home on Sunday. Kyren Whittington and Dynah Jones led the Green Wave combing for 43 points in the win.
- Tulane is led by redshirt sophomore guard Kyren Whittington. Whittington averages 15.8 points a game and leads the team in three-point shooting at .526. The Wave also has two other players averaging double-figures in graduate guard Marta Galic and graduate guard Dynah Jones.

THE COMMODORES:
- Vanderbilt comes into the Cancun Challenge with a record of 5-1. The Commodores suffered their first loss of the season right before coming to Cancun this week. Vanderbilt dropped a 67-59 game to Saint Joseph's at home.
- This is the first time the Commodores will compete in the Cancun Challenge. The tournament has been around since 2005, hosting numerous Division I basketball teams for a week in Mexico.
- Vanderbilt is dealing with a lineup depleted by injuries. The Commodores have lost three players to injury this year including two starters from last season. One of those lost players includes SEC All-Defensive Team member Jordyn Cambridge.
- Despite these injuries, the Commodores are being led by a trio of players. Guard Ciaja Harbison, guard Marnelle Garraud and forward Sacha Washington all average double-figures this season with Washington also leading the team in rebounds.

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