University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
13-13,9-7MVC
Evansville
7-20,5-11MVC
UNI women’s basketball: Panthers bested by Purple Aces in overtime
2/21/2026 7:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
A big second-half comeback from Evansville forced overtime in UNI’s second loss to UE, 64-63.
EVANSVILLE, Indiana --- UNI women's basketball wrapped up a road trip with a matchup at Evansville. The Panther offense was hot in the first quarter and shot 51.6% from the floor in the first 20 minutes of action, but the Purple Aces came storming back and forced overtime with a 30-21 second half and, eventually, claimed the contest with a one-point, overtime victory, 64-63.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Lauren Walker opened the contest with the game's first bucket, in her first collegiate start, Ryley Goebel went to work and scored UNI's next 11 points and single-handedly outpaced the Evansville offense. With a minute and a half remaining in the first quarter, the Panthers led the Purple Aces 13-8. Each team scored four points in the final 90 seconds as the Cats led the Purple Aces 17-12 after 10 minutes played in Evansville, Indiana.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Mya Nicholson and Jenna Twedt forced an early UE timeout with just over a minute rolling off the clock in the second quarter. Eight points from Goebel and five from Twedt followed a mini-run from the Purple Aces to continue to push the UNI lead further out of reach. The Panthers held an 11-point lead with just under two minutes remaining in the half. Evansville knocked down a pair of buckets to UNI's lone bucket of the final 97 seconds to cut the UNI lead back to single-digits. The Cats led 38-29 after 20 minutes on the court.
Ryley Goebel dominated the first half of action with 19 points on eight field goals and three free throws. She added seven rebounds and three blocks in the first half. Jenna Twedt was 1-for-1 from beyond the arc with eight points in the first half while Kaylynn Janes dished out four assists.
The third quarter opened with a triple from Jenna Twedt before a 14-5 run from Evansville cut the Panther lead to three points with just over two and a half minutes to play in the third frame. A pair of free throws from Virginia Edmondson and a bucket from Goebel gave UNI a seven-point lead with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
Evansville took over in the fourth quarter with an 11-5 run out of the gate, including seven straight over a one and a half minute stretch midway through the quarter. With 4:20 on the clock, the Panthers led 55-54 before a jump shot from Taryn Wharton pushed the Panther lead back to three points. An Evansville three-pointer tied the contest, and a jump shot gave the Purple Aces the lead with 3:22 remaining. A layup from Jenna Twedt tied the contest with 2:01 to play before both teams went cold from the floor. Each side had a chance to take the lead in the last seconds of the contest, but neither could get the ball to fall, which forced UNI's first overtime of the season.
UNI was the first team on the board with four points, including a three-pointer and a free throw from Jenna Twedt. It was all Evansville the rest of the way as the Purple Aces scored five points and edged out the Cats by a 64-63 final score.
Ryley Goebel led the Panther offense with 23 points. She added 14 rebounds, seven blocks, and two steals. Jenna Twedt was the only other Panther in double-figures with 18 points. She was 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Kaylynn Janes finished with six assists and five rebounds.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI falls to 13-13 on the season and 9-7 in conference play with the loss to Evansville. The Panthers are now 46-21 all-time against the Purple Aces, including a 2-2 mark in overtime.
- The Panthers continued an active program-record 572-game three-pointer streak with five triples against the Purple Aces.
- Ryley Goebel recorded seven blocks against the Purple Aces. She passed Bre Gunnels (2021-22) and Carol Hogan (1982-83) for No. 4 on UNI's single-season blocks list. The senior has recorded 71 total blocks this season and is now seven blocks shy of passing her own mark from last season of 78 for No. 3 on the list.
- Lauren Walker made her first collegiate start against the Purple Aces. She finished with eight points, three rebounds, and a steal.
- Ryley Goebel recorded her 10th double-double of the season and the 11th of her career with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Goebel joins Alex Cook, Grace Boffeli, and Megan Maahs as one of just four UNI players with double-figure double-doubles in a single season. Alex Cook has three (17 2002-03, 13 2003-04, and 10 2004-05), Grace Boffeli has two (15 2022-23 and 12 2023-24), and Megan Maahs has one (12 2017-18).
- Kaylynn Janes finished with career-highs of six assists and five rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Panthers head home for a pair of matchups inside the McLeod Center starting on February 26 when the Cats face the Beacons of Valparaiso. Tipoff against the Beacons 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.
