Panthers smash Aces 95-46

COLIN HORNING, Sports Editor

It was domination from start to finish for the UNI women’s basketball team last Sunday, Feb. 24, against the University of Evansville. The Panthers convincingly took care of the lowly Purple Aces with a final score of  95-46.

Five Northern Iowa women scored in double figures, with sophomore Nicole Kroeger leading the way with 22 points and four three-pointers.

Senior Mikaela Morgan tacked on 16 points and made four three-point shots herself, while Karli Rucker, Cynthia Wolf and Bre Gunnels each saw themselves in double figures as well. Heidi Hillyard led the Panther women in rebounding with 10 for the game, followed by nine from Wolf.

The purple and gold were firing on all cylinders, as the home team made 57 percent of their total shots from the field, 44 percent from three-point range and 88 percent at the foul line.

A stout defensive effort held Evansville to only 32 percent overall shooting and an ice-cold 17 percent from three.

Taking advantage of points off of turnovers dominated this game, as UNI forced 14 turnovers from the visitors, resulting in 26 total points on the other end.

The Panthers themselves committed 11 turnovers for the game, but the Purple Aces were not able to take advantage as they totaled a mere seven of their 46 points from turnovers.

The UNI reserves were also able to outplay their opponents, outscoring the Evansville bench 28-12.

With the win, the Panther women continued their ascent up the MVC standings, grabbing their fourth conference win in their last five games.

With a conference record of now 10-4 and an overall record of 17-9, things are looking promising for UNI to make a bid in the NCAA tournament in March.

Four regular-season games remain, two of which will be played in the McLeod Center before the Panthers travel to Moline, Ill., for the MVC tournament from Thursday through Sunday, March 14-17.