University of Northern Iowa
10-13,9-5MVC
Murray State
15-8,8-6MVC
Tanya Warren sets MVC record in win over Murray State
2/17/2024 4:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNI women’s basketball completes the largest comeback of the Tanya Warren era in an 89-87 victory over Murray State.
MURRAY, Ky. --- UNI women's basketball took on the Murray State Racers in game two of a weekend road trip. Murray State jumped out to a large lead before the Panthers clawed back and claimed an 89-87 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Racers opened the game hot with a 15-2 run from the tip including a 13-point run. A three-pointer from Kayba Laube ended the Murray State run. The bucket was followed by a pair of baskets from the Racers. Back-and-forth buckets for both teams in the final minutes of the first quarter saw Maya McDermott close the frame with a layup and a pair of free throws. Murray State led the Panthers 26-13 after one quarter of play.
Murray State opened the second quarter with back-to-back buckets to take a 17-point lead at 30-13. A jump shot from Grace Boffeli was followed by a jumper from Maya McDermott, cutting the Racer lead to 13 points. McDermott added eight more points in a row for the Panthers with a pair of back-to-back three-pointers. Taryn Wharton knocked down a three and Boffeli sank a layup to cut the Racer lead to seven points at 37-30. Murray State finished the second quarter on an 11-6 run to hold a 48-36 advantage after the first half.
The first possessions of the second half were an offensive clinic for the Panthers who knocked down three straight buckets including a pair of jumpers from McDermott. An eight-point Racer run pushed them ahead by 18 points early in the third quarter before a jump shot from McDermott ended the run. Ryley Goebel knocked down a layup before another Murray State jump shot.
Back-to-back three-pointers from UNI saw one come off the hand of Wharton and the other coming from McDermott to cut the lead to 12 points at 64-52. Wharton closed the fourth quarter with a pair of free throws after a few baskets from both teams down the stretch. Murray State held onto a 12-point lead with only the fourth quarter remaining.
The Panthers opened the final frame with three unanswered baskets before a Racer basket. Kayba Laube knocked down a three-pointer which was followed by a layup from Grace Boffeli before a Racer three. Three points from Grace Boffeli cut the Murray State lead to three points at 77-74. A trio of points put the Racers back up by six points at 80-74 before a three-pointer from Maya McDermott. The Panthers closed the game on a 10-3 run to edge out Murray State by a final score of 89-87 at the buzzer.
Maya McDermott led the offense with 36 points. She added six assists to her total. Grace Boffeli finished with 21 points and seven rebounds while Taryn Wharton was the third Panther in double figures with 12 points. Kayba Laube led the rebounding effort with eight boards.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI remains perfect against the Murray State Racers after the 89-87 victory. The Panthers now hold a 6-0 record against Murray State.
- With the 89-87 win, Tanya Warren set the Valley's record for conference coaching wins. She won her 202nd league matchup in the game against Murray State.
- The 18-point comeback victory is the largest comeback in the Tanya Warren era.
- Maya McDermott's 36-point performance was a career-high. On top of that, the 13 field goals and six three-pointers were also career highs.
- McDermott knocked down all four of the free throws she attempted in the game. She has now made 56 of the 58 free throws she has attempted this season and leads the nation with a 96.6% free throw percentage. All 35 free throws she has taken in conference play have gone down for points.
- Grace Boffeli moved up on UNI's all-time rebounding list. Her seven rebounds today helped her pass Tami Schebler (1980-84) for the no. 4 spot. She sits with 790 career rebounds and is two short of the no. 3 spot occupied by Bre Gunnels (2017-22) with 792 career rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Panthers head home and will take on the Salukis of Southern Illinois on February 22 in the McLeod Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and can be streamed on ESPN+ or listened to on the Panther Sports Radio Network.
