LAHAINA, Maui – The UNI women’s basketball team was able to grab a win in their first contest of the Maui Classic on Saturday evening, beating the Idaho Vandals 75-64.
It was a game of momentum swings for the Panthers as they took on the Vandals at the Lahaina Civic Center on Saturday. UNI was able to hold off a second-half surge by Idaho with 83% shooting from the free-throw line after several end-of-game fouls. It was a season-high night on the defensive side of the ball for the Panthers. The team had 49 boards while center Grace Boffeli had a career night with 19 rebounds.
“All things considered, it was a great team win. I really like how we defended in the first half,” said Head Coach Tanya Warren. “I think we got a little lackadaisical at the start of the third quarter, but I liked how we finished. I can’t say enough about Karli [Rucker] and I think Maya [McDermott] gave us good minutes.
“And I thought Grace Boffeli with 19 rebounds and Bre [Gunnels] with a double-double was a terrific defensive win. When you talk about the travel and the time zone change, it was a strong game. I’m extremely excited for the opportunity we have tomorrow against a very good Oregon State team.”
UNI started the action in Hawai’i off hot with a four-point run as guard Karli Rucker and guard Nicole Kroeger put up two quick layups. Idaho would take their only lead of the game early on in the quarter following a three-point shot from guard Allison Kirby. The Panthers would then hold the Vandals scoreless for over 6 minutes while going on a 19-point run highlighted by three treys from Kam Finley and Emerson Green. Idaho would get a brief four-point run before the quarter break, making it 23-9 UNI.
The Panthers would keep the offense going in the second quarter with a 7-point run to widen the scoring margin to 21. The Vandals were able to end the scoring streak with a layup over 2 minutes into the quarter. The two would trade baskets back and forth for the rest of the second, which included 3 minutes with no scoring from either side. UNI would go on a brief 3-point run at the end of the quarter to make it 37-15 heading into halftime.
Out of the halftime break, the Panthers and the Vandals would keep pace with one another. Both teams’ best scoring runs were 5-point runs in the 5th and 2nd minutes respectively. In the third, UNI would have their best 3-point shooting with 3 treys made from Rucker, guard Maya McDermott, and guard Kayba Laube.
It was again a back and forth battle to start the final 10 minutes as both teams found themselves at the free-throw line. Guard Bre Gunnels would have the best scoring stretch for the Panthers, putting up five points in a row over four minutes. But Idaho would go on a seven-point run in the 8th minute, bringing the Panthers lead down to just 7 points.
Rucker would get UNI back on top with 7 points in under a minute to get the Panthers out 14 points again. The Vandals would then switch to a full-court press, putting UNI at the line to finish the game making their final 8 free throws. UNI’s success at the free-throw line at the end of the game would secure them the win, 75-64.
As a team, the Panthers had one of their best defensive games of the season with a total of 49 rebounds. When it came to the offensive side of the ball, UNI shot 25-60 (41.7%) from the floor, 8-29 (27.6%) from behind the arc, and 17-22 (77.3%) from the charity stripe. The Panthers would also excel on the fast break, putting up 27 points off the floor. UNI would also add 14 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks.
Offensively Rucker led the Panthers with 21 points, shooting 8-12 (66.6%) from the floor, 3-4 (75%) from three-point range, and 2-2 (100%) from the free-throw line. Gunnels would have the first double-double of the season with 11 points and 13 boards. Guard Kam Finley and Green would also have double-digit scoring nights. While freshman center Grace Boffeli would have a career night on defense with 19 rebounds. Boffeli would grab 14 defensive and 5 offensive rebounds to help the Panthers to their best rebounding game of the season.
UP NEXT:
The Panthers will play in the finale of the Maui Classic against the Oregon State Beavers. The Beavers host the tournament and received votes in the latest Top 25 polls. Tip time is set for Sunday at 5 p.m. from the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui.
