UNI women's basketball to battle for first place against Illinois State

UNI women's basketball vs. Illinois State

6 p.m. | Feb. 16
Cedar Falls, Iowa | McLeod Center (6,550)
ESPN+ | David Warrington: Play-by-Play
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CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Panthers are gearing up for a big game in more ways than one on Thursday evening.

Along with playing the Illinois State Redbirds for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference, UNI will be playing for something bigger than themselves. Thursday's game is the Panthers annual Pink Out game to support those who have been affected by cancer. This year, UNI is raising money for Stand Up to Cancer in honor of Head Coach Tanya Warren's dad and former Illinois State player Simone Goods, both of whom passed away from cancer in the summer of 2022.

Coach Warren will be donating $25 for every three-pointer made on Thursday evening. A Gofundme has been set up for those who would like to either match Coach Warren's donation or make a donation of any dollar amount. Along with raising money for Stand Up to Cancer, a pregame ceremony will be held to honor Coach Warren's 300th career victory that occurred against Valparaiso on Sunday, Feb. 12.

THE PANTHERS:
- UNI had a big week on the road while in the Chicagoland area. The Panthers were the only Iowa team to come out of Chicago with a win against UIC in a gritty 55-47 win. UNI also handed Valparaiso another defeat to sweep the series in a big 83-60 win.
- The Panthers have their biggest matchup yet this Thursday. While it is a big game because it's the next game, UNI will be fighting for the top spot in the MVC as they welcome Illinois State to the McLeod Center. The Redbirds suffered their first defeat on Sunday since the beginning of the year when the Panthers came into Normal and won the contest 74-64.
- UNI is one of three teams in the MVC currently on a five-game win streak or better. Belmont and Missouri State are the other two teams on winning streaks at eight and seven straight respectively. The Valley is one of just three leagues nationally to have three teams riding winning streaks of 5+ entering this week, joining the Atlantic 10 and Mid-American Conference.
- Sophomore forward Grace Boffeli and Murray State's Katelyn Young currently lead the MVC in double-doubles with nine each. Boffeli ranks fifth in The Valley in scoring at 16.0 ppg, while leading the league in rebounds per game (8.7).

THE REDBIRDS:
- Illinois State suffered its first loss in 11 games over the weekend. Before the Redbirds loss to Missouri State on Sunday, Illinois State hadn't lost a game since the Panthers beat them in Normal on January 1st. At the time, the Redbirds win streak was one of 12 teams nationally riding a winning streak of 11+ games.
- With 12 MVC wins, the Redbirds have matched their highest conference win total under Kristen Gillespie and hope to get to 20 wins for the first time in Gillespie's tenure as well.
- Illinois State guard Mary Crompton has been climbing the Valley list for most three-pointers made in a career all season. Currently, Crompton sits in third place behind Dayna Fitch, who played at Creighton from 2001-04, and Gabi Haack, who just finished her career at Bradley last season. Crompton has 281 three-pointers as of Sunday.
- Redbirds guard Paige Robinson was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week on Monday for her performances against Southern Illinois and Missouri State. The graduate transfer averaged 26.5 points per game, making 16-of-35 shots for the week (45.7%) and was 6-of-15 (40.0%) from long range while averaging six and a half rebounds on the week with four assists, one block, and one steal.

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