University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
12-12,8-6MVC
Indiana State
8-16,4-10MVC
UNI women’s basketball: Panthers outlast Sycamores an a heavily-offensive matchup
2/12/2026 8:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Ryley Goebel became the first player in UNI and Valley history with 200+ career blocks and steals in a 91-79 rout of Indiana State.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI women's basketball hosted the Indiana State Sycamores on Thursday night in its 24th matchup of the season. The Cats took an early lead, thanks to seven three-pointers in the first quarter, before Indiana State won the second and third frames. 11 points and five rebounds from Ryley Goebel in the fourth quarter propelled the Cats past Indiana State in UNI's highest-scoring game of the season, 91-79.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panther offense came out firing on all cylinders as the Cats took an early 16-2 lead in the first three minutes of the contest over the Sycamores, thanks to four three-pointers, two off the hands of Jenna Twedt. The Indiana State offense started to gain some footing over the rest of the frame, as the teams battled an even 16-16 the remainder of the quarter. The Panthers had seven triples in the first 10 minutes of play and led the Sycamores 32-18 heading into the second quarter.
Indiana State won the second quarter as the Sycamores shot 52.4% in the frame, including 50% from beyond the arc. The 28-19 quarter saw a late 11-2 run from Indiana State to cut the Panther lead to five points at the halftime break.
Jenna Twedt led the Panthers after 20 minutes of action with 18 points. Ryley Goebel and Kaylynn Janes each finished the first half in double figures with 13 and 12 points respectively. Both Goebel and Elise Jaeger brought in six boards in the first half.
The third quarter saw a late seven-point run from the Cats, after Indiana State took a lead earlier in the frame, to give UNI a six-point advantage. Ryley Goebel closed the third quarter and opened the fourth with UNI's next 11 points to add to a career day for the senior forward. The Panthers dominated the final frame, 20-12, to come away with a 91-79 victory.
Ryley Goebel dominated both sides of the floor with 32 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks, and three steals. Jenna Twedt finished with 24 points while Kaylynn Janes put up 17 to round out UNI's double-figure scorers. Elise Jaeger brought in 13 rebounds while Jenna Twedt dished out six assists.
"I thought we did a nice job of shooting the basketball," said head coach Tanya Warren. "We got out in transition. Just a terrific job offensively in terms of execution. 22 assists to 12 turnovers, again, terrific job."
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI improved to 12-12 on the season and 8-6 in Valley play with a 91-79 victory over Indiana State. The Panthers are now 46-43 all-time against the Sycamores.
- The Panthers continued an active program-record 570-game three-pointer streak with 13 triples against the Sycamores.
- Ryley Goebel recorded three steals against the Sycamores. She became the only player in UNI and Missouri Valley Conference history with 200+ career blocks AND steals.
- With five blocks against Indiana State, Ryley Goebel moved past Sharon Zeilmann (Missouri State, 1983-87) for No. 4 on the MVC all-time blocks list.
- Ryley Goebel recorded her ninth double-double of the season and the 10th of her career with 32 points and 16 rebounds. It is the 12th time a Panther has had nine or more double-doubles in a single season. She is the seventh individual athlete with nine or more double-doubles in a single season at UNI.
- UNI is now 10-1 this season when three or more Panthers score in double figures.
- Goebel set career highs with 16 rebounds and eight free throws and tied a career high with 32 points.
- Jenna Twedt finished with a career-high six assists.
- Kaylynn Janes tied a career high with 17 points.
UP NEXT
The Panthers hit the road for a pair of contests in Illinois and Indiana, starting with a February 19 matchup at Southern Illinois. Tipoff inside the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Illinois is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and will be available 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 2025-26 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
