University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
16-15,11-9MVC
Valparaiso
13-18,9-11MVC
Panthers cap off the regular season with a win at Valparaiso
3/8/2025 3:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNI women’s basketball rounded out the 2024-25 regular season with an 85-73 victory over the Beacons.
VALPARAISO, Ind. --- UNI women's basketball made its last stop of the regular season with a matchup at Valparaiso. The Panthers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they took home an 85-73 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panther offense came out firing on all cylinders with a 12-point run near the end of the first quarter which gave them a 21-9 lead. A pair of Free throws from Shateah Wetering gave UNI a 23-14 lead after the first quarter. A pair of triples from Kayba Laube early in the second quarter were bookended by a free throw from Emerson Green and a bucket from Elise Jaeger for a nine-point Panther run to take a 32-17 lead. The teams traded triples down the stretch and went into the halftime break with a 47-38 Panther advantage. UNI shot 53.8% (14-for-26) from the field and 42.9% (6-for-14) from deep in the first half. Laube led the charge with 18 first-half points on 5-for-7 from beyond the arc.
UNI outscored the Beacons 38-35 in the second half, including a seven-point run in the third quarter and a six-point run in the fourth, to take home an 85-73 victory over Valpo. The Panthers were 53.6% (15-for-28) from the floor in the second half which saw 12 points from Maya McDermott. UNI finished the game 53.7% from the floor and 40.9% (9-for-22) from deep.
Maya McDermott led UNI with 22 points. She added six assists to her total. Kayba Laube finished with 21 points marking the seventh time the Panthers have had two 20+-point scorers in the same contest and the fifth time it has been the pair of McDermott and Laube. Laube was 5-for-9 from deep and added four boards. Emerson Green was the third Panther in double-figures with 11 points.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI improves to 16-15 overall and 11-9 in conference play this season with the 85-73 victory over Valpo. The Panthers are now 16-5 all-time against the Beacons.
- Maya McDermott broke the UNI single-season record for field goals set by Diane Roberts (1984-85) with 216. McDermott has recorded 218 field goals this season. McDermott also moved up to no. 4 on UNI's single-season assists list with six helpers against Valparaiso.
- Kayba Laube moved up to number six on the Missouri Valley Conference's all-time three-pointer list. Laube's 275 threes are one short of the no. 5 spot on the Valley's list.
- UNI continued a 543-game triple streak with nine threes against Valparaiso.
- Taryn Wharton tied a career-high with three steals.
UP NEXT
The Panthers head to Evansville, Indiana for the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Game one for the Panthers tips off on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. CT with opponent to be determined. Games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network.
UNI women's basketball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Women's Basketball), X (@UNIwbb), and on Instagram (@uni_wbb). The 2024-25 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
