CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI Women’s basketball overcame a 14-point first-half deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead, but the Panthers fell to Illinois State 69-61 in overtime Thursday in the McLeod Center.
UNI started the game with back-to-back buckets to take a 4-0 lead, but Illinois State went on an 11-0 run and closed the first quarter with a 15-7 lead.
Illinois State kept the pressure on and built a 25-11 lead with 5:24 remaining in the second quarter. The Panthers then got things going on the offensive end, but it started on the defensive side of the ball. UNI forced five turnovers on six possessions to give the Panthers a 7-0 run. The Redbirds hit a bucket at the buzzer to go up 30-21 at the break.
The Panthers outscored Illinois State 36-27 in the second half and built a 57-54 lead on a free throw from Karli Rucker with 11 seconds left in the game. Illinois State’s Tete Maggett hit a contested three-pointer with four seconds remaining to tie the game at 57 and force overtime.
Illinois State controlled the overtime period, outscoring the Panthers 12-4 to earn the eight-point win.
UNI falls to 15-10 overall and 7-7 in Missouri Valley play. The Panthers have four games remaining on the conference slate.
NOTES
The Panthers trailed by as much as 14 points (25-11) late in the second period.
Kam Finley scored a game-high 14 points.
Karli Rucker had a team-high five assists.
Megan Maahs tallied a team-high eight rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Panthers host Bradley Saturday at 2 p.m. at the McLoed Center. The Braves are 19-5 on the season and 10-3 in Missouri Valley Conference play after dropping a close battle against Drake Thursday in Des Moines.
