CEDAR FALLS – Despite a slow start, the UNI women’s basketball team found their groove with a 83-58 win over the Truman State Bulldogs.
The Panthers would trade the lead back and forth with the Bulldogs throughout the first quarter. Guard Karli Rucker tallied the first point for the Panthers with a jump shot. UNI would hold onto the lead until the last minute of the 1st quarter when Truman State had their best run of the game, scoring 7 unanswered points.
The Bulldogs would continue to use the momentum at the end of the 1st quarter to take their largest lead of the game in the 2nd. But the Panthers would go on a 9 point run midway through the 2nd quarter to regain the lead. UNI would not surrender the lead for the rest of the game as the team solidified their offensive attack. In the 2nd quarter, the Panthers would go 9-16 (56.3%) from the field and 2-4 (50%) from the free throw line.
But it was the second half where the Panthers really shined as they combined for over 50% from the floor, 60% from the free throw line, and 38% from behind the arc. UNI would have their first double digit lead of the game in the 3rd quarter when center Grace Boffeli made a second chance layup in the paint. The Panthers lead would continue to grow with a 9-point scoring run at the end of the 3rd to lead the Bulldogs 59-44.
The fourth quarter was the best offensively for UNI, as they made 57% of their shots from all locations on the court. The Panthers particularly excelled from the floor, making 8-13 (61.5%) of their field goal attempts. Boffeli continued her strong presence in the 4th quarter with 6 points and 3 rebounds.
As a team the Panthers were 33-61 (54%) from the field, 8-24 (33%) from the three-point line, and 9-16 (56%) from the free throw line. The majority of UNI’s points came in the paint with 36. And it was a well rounded offensive game for the Panthers as contributions from UNI’s bench made up for 50% of the team’s scoring as 12 players recorded at least 2 points. The Panthers had 35 rebounds, forcing 21 points on turnovers, and only surrendering the ball 14 times through 40 minutes.
Individually Boffeli and center Cynthia Wolf led the Panthers with 14 points each. Boffeli would make 5 rebounds while Wolf grabbed 4. Forward Bre Gunnels excelled on the defensive side of the ball with 8 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal.
UP NEXT:
The Panthers will have their first game of the regular season next week in St. Louis. The rematch of the WNIT Rockford Regional Finals between UNI and the St. Louis Billikins is on Tuesday, November 9th. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. from Chaifetz Arena.
