UNI women's basketball heads to Des Moines for first game against Drake

UNI women's basketball at Drake

6 p.m. | Jan. 11
Des Moines, Iowa | Knapp Center (7,152)
ESPN+ | Larry Morgan: Play-by-play, Laura Leonard: Analyst
KXEL | Chris Kleinhaus-Schulz: Play-by-play

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Panthers are looking to bounce back from their first Missouri Valley Conference loss against their longtime in-state rival.

UNI hopes to break its losing skid at the Knapp Center this Wednesday in a midweek matchup with the Drake Bulldogs. The Panthers haven't completed a victory in Des Moines since 2016 despite several close games last year.

UNI last met Drake in the second round of the WNIT at the Knapp Center in a back-and-forth battle through three quarters. But the Bulldogs would have a slight edge over the Panthers in the fourth, ending UNI's season in late March. UNI will look to get revenge for its season-ending loss Wednesday evening.

THE PANTHERS:
- UNI suffered its first loss of 2023 against the Belmont Bruins at home on Sunday. Despite being down by 11 at the end of the first half, the Panthers were able to regain the lead in the final three minutes. But an 8-0 run at the end of the game would hand UNI its first MVC loss of the season 67-61.
- The Panthers had their coldest night on the floor this season against Belmont. UNI only shot 31% from the floor and 29.2% from three-point range. The Panthers were only 5-29 through the second quarter for the team's quietest quarter of the season.
- UNI leads the Valley in one category, averaging the fewest turnovers in the conference. UNI only averages 12.8 turnovers a game, making the team 18th in the nation in turnovers.
- Sophomore guard Emerson Green had one of her best weeks in a Panther uniform against Murray State and Belmont. Green averaged 17 points and 4.5 rebounds over two games while also setting career-highs in field goals made (7), field goals attempted (13), and blocks (2). UNI Head Coach Tanya Warren noted on Monday that Green has been versatile this season and has put in a lot of work outside of practice to perform at an elite level.

THE BULLDOGS:
- Drake is one of six teams (including UNI) that are tied for first in the Valley after two weeks of play. The Bulldogs have an overall record of 8-4 with an MVC record of 3-1. Drake's singular loss came to Illinois State on the road on Dec. 30.
- The Bulldogs lead the Valley in several statistical categories including overall offense (83.7), scoring margin (13.3), overall rebounds (45.3), rebound margin (11.3), and assist/turnover ratio (1.19).
- Along with leading the MVC, Drake is in the Top 10 in the nation in multiple categories like assists per game (21.2), blocks per game (5.7), field goal percentage (48.9), rebound margin, defensive rebounds per game (34.2), rebounds per game, and total offense (83.7). The Bulldogs are first in the nation for assists per game and rebound margin.
- All five of the Bulldogs starters have averaged double-digits this season. In particular, senior forward Maggie Bair leads the way at 16.2 points averaged a game along with leading the team in rebounds at 8.6 a game. Preseason All-MVC select redshirt senior forward Grace Berg closely follows Bair, averaging 13.7 points and 5.8 rebounds a game.

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