University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
18-13,13-7MVC
Bradley
20-12,13-7MVC
UNI women’s basketball: Panthers edge out Bradley in MVC Tournament Quarterfinals
3/13/2026 6:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Panthers outlast the Bradley Braves in an MVC Tournament thriller, 74-73.
CORALVILLE, Iowa --- UNI women's basketball opened the postseason at the 2026 MVC Tournament with a matchup against the Bradley Braves in the Quarterfinals. The Panthers jumped out to a big lead early, thanks to lights-out shooting from Jenna Twedt in the first quarter. The Braves battled back and looked to complete the comeback, but the Cats put their heads to the floor and edged out the Braves by a 74-73 final.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panthers opened the 2026 MVC Tournament Quarterfinals on an 11-3 run, which included a pair of three-pointers and six points from Jenna Twedt to get rolling in the postseason. The UNI defense continued to dominate, and allowed just seven first-quarter points to the Braves. The Cats had runs of 11 points, three points, and six points in the quarter to lead 22-7 after 10 minutes of action.
The Bradley offense got out quick in the second quarter with a 10-4 run to cut the UNI lead to nine points, just under halfway through the second frame. Jenna Twedt knocked down a pair of three-pointers to regain a double-figure lead with just over three minutes to play in the first half. The Braves edged out the Panthers in the final three minutes of the second quarter, 6-4, but UNI remained in the driver's seat, with a 36-25 advantage after 20 minutes of action.
At the break, Jenna Twedt led UNI with 15 points, including three three-pointers and a pair of free throws. Elise Jaeger led the Cats with five boards while Ryley Goebel picked up a pair of steals.
Out of the halftime break, Jenna Twedt went back to work, scoring six of UNI's first eight points of the second half. A fast-break layup from Lauren Walker and a pair of free throws from Elise Jaeger tied UNI's largest lead of the afternoon at 17 points. The Braves didn't back down with a 14-4 run to close the third frame and cut the Panther lead to single-digits heading into the final quarter.
Leading 52-45, UNI pushed its lead to double-figures with an 8-3 run, giving the Panthers a 60-48 lead with just under three minutes gone in the final frame. The Braves answered UNI baskets with mini runs, which saw the Panther lead dwindle down the stretch. The Panthers led by seven points with 2:10 to go before a three-pointer from the Braves, and back-to-back shooting fouls on three-pointers brought Bradley within a pair with 15 seconds on the clock.
The Braves sent Taryn Wharton to the free-throw line, where the senior guard knocked down both to give UNI a two-possession lead with five seconds on the clock. A last-second three-pointer from the Braves cut the UNI lead to one, but the Panthers were able to inbound the ball with one second left without issue and advance to the MVC Tournament Semifinals to face Murray State by a 74-73 final.
Jenna Twedt led the Panthers with 25 points on 9-for-17 shooting, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. Ryley Goebel finished with 16 points, the only other Panther in double figures. She added six rebounds to her 70% (7-for-10) shooting day. Elise Jaeger finished with nine boards to lead the Cats.
"I think we played really well offensively, but I really like how we defended," said head coach Tanya Warren. "We did a terrific job of defending the three. You know, Bradley came out in the second half. They are going to go on some runs. They're that good and made some adjustments. I like how we started the game. That start was key for us!"
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI improves to 18-13 on the season, and 55-37 all-time against the Braves with its 74-73 victory. The Panthers are now 6-1 in the MVC Tournament against Bradley.
- The Panthers continued an active program-record 577-game three-pointer streak with five triples against the Braves.
- With one offensive rebound, Ryley Goebel is now tied for No. 9 on UNI's all-time offensive rebounding list with Grace Boffeli (2020-25) with 269 career offensive boards.
- Goebel moved up to No. 7 on UNI's single-season field goals list, as she passed Tara King (2006-07), Amy Swisher (2003-04), Maya McDermott (2023-24), and Amy Swisher (2001-02). Goebel has made 188 field goals this season, and is one shy of tying Grace Boffeli (2022-23) with 189.
- Jenna Twedt made a career-high nine field goals in the matchup against the Braves.
UP NEXT
The Panthers advance to the MVC Tournament Semifinals, where they will face the Murray State Racers. The Panthers and the Racers split the regular-season series, with the home team taking the victory in both matchups. Tipoff in Coralville is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT with coverage 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.
