After Northern Iowas 89-70 victory over Illinois State, the Panthers found themselves in the midst of a six-game winning streak with a chance at first place in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Forward Jen Keitels 23- point effort led the way for the Panthers against the Redbirds, which was her third consecutive game scoring in double figures. Guard Madison Weekly chipped in with 16 points and five rebounds. Brittni Donaldson and Stephanie Davison also reached -double-digit point totals, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively.
With the pieces falling into place, all UNI needed to do was take care of business against Indiana State and wait for the final result of the Wichita State and Missouri State game to learn their fate. After an 85-72 loss to Indiana State, scoreboard watching was no longer necessary. In a game where UNI never held the lead, the Panthers suffered a severe shooting slump that resulted in a 20 percent field goal percentage and several missed layups in the first half.
We were nervous. I could see it, UNI head coach Tanya Warren said. Offensively, we were a completely different team than weve been in the first half.
Keitel led the team in scoring once again, contributing 21 points and adding a team-high seven rebounds. She also dished out a team-high three assists. Forward Hannah Schonhardt was the next highest scorer for the Panthers, recording 15 points on the afternoon.
Schonhardt played with a high level of intensity on Saturday. She let her emotions spill out on the court with several fist pumps and screams after made baskets.
I was playing a little mad because we shouldve come out stronger in the first half, so that drove me, Schonhardt said. We werent giving up until the game was over.
UNI fought tooth and nail to get back in the game, but ISU kept a steady lead and foiled any attempts the Panthers made to cut it down. The 4-21 from behind the arc didnt help the Panthers cause, as the 19 percent from 3-point range that UNI put forth was dwarfed by the 69 percent ISU shot for the afternoon.
The ISU performance was orchestrated by guard Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, who led the Sycamores in scoring with 28 points while also recording four assists. Abdul-Qaadir scored 20 of her total points in the first half and was a major factor in the 34-21 UNI deficit at the half.
Shes phenomenal, Warren said of the ISU guard. Not only can she score, but she can get her teammates the basketball in a position where they can score.
With the loss, UNI is locked in third place heading into the MVC Tournament.
Were confident. Were going to go in there and make some noise in that tournament. Schonhardt said.
The MVC Tournament kicks off Thursday in St. Charles, Mo. UNI will play its first game at 8:35 p.m. Friday.
