UNI women's basketball looks to start new MVC win streak at Evansville

UNI women's basketball at Evansville

1 p.m. | Jan. 15
Evansville, Ind. | Meeks Family Fieldhouse (1,164)
ESPN+ | Announcers: TBA
KXEL | Chris Kleinhaus-Shulz: Play-by-play

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The Panthers look to follow up a big road win with another away from Cedar Falls on Sunday afternoon against the University of Evansville Purple Aces.

After a thrilling victory over MVC rival Drake, UNI will try to bring the momentum from the Knapp Center along with them to Indiana in its only game against the Aces. The Panthers last saw Evansville on its home floor at the end of the '21-22 season, where UNI picked up its 20th win of the season in an 83-56 victory. The Panthers look to continue their success at Meeks Family Fieldhouse, not having lost a game there since the Ace's women's basketball program moved into the facility in 2017.

THE PANTHERS:
- UNI bounced back in MVC play in a thrilling 70-69 win at Drake. It was the Panthers first win at the Knapp Center since 2016 and snapped a five-game losing skid to the Bulldogs dating back to 2020.
- The Panthers defense had a big night in Des Monies on Wednesday. UNI set a season-high 10 blocks in its performance against Drake along with 12 steals. The Panther defense also forced 20 turnovers, their best since they got St. Thomas to make 22 turnovers to begin the season back in November.
- Sophomore point guard Maya McDermott was the hometown hero for UNI on Wednesday night. The Des Moines native made the final shot of the game, a one-handed floater with 0.3 on the clock. McDermott led the team in points at 19 with 16 of them coming in the second half. She also led the team in assists, helping on 6 baskets.
- With her sixth double-double of the season, sophomore forward Grace Boffeli is back on top in the Missouri Valley Conference. She leads the league in the stat along with rebounds (121) and rebounds per game (8.6).

THE PURPLE ACES:
- Evansville had another strong non-conference season, going 5-3 for its third straight season at .500 or above against non-Valley teams. The Aces have had a little more trouble in the conference season with only a 2-3 mark after two and a half weeks.
- But the Aces come into Sunday's matchup after a big win over in-state rival Indiana State at home. Evansville cruised past the Sycamores in the second half, winning 65-54 thanks to the double-digit performance of four Aces and a season-high in three-point shooting percentage.
- Part of Evansville's success comes from its ability to get to the free-throw line. The Aces rank second in the nation in free throws attempted and third in free throws made. In games where Evansville has recorded 30 or more free-throw attempts, the Aces are 3-0 and in games where UE has amassed less than 20 free-throw attempts, Evansville is 1-3.
- The Aces are led by senior guard/forward Abby Feit, a preseason All-MVC pick. Feit averages 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds a game along with adding 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks. Evansville has one other player averaging in double-figures, fifth-year guard transfer Myia Clark. Clark averages 12.6 points with 1.7 assists a game and game to the Aces from Saint Louis.

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