CHICAGO – When the Panther offense wasn’t clicking, the Panther defense found a way to shut down UIC to beat the Flames 55-47.
For the second-straight game, UNI put up double-digit steals thanks to a physical and defensive game. The Panthers kept UIC under its shooting averages in all areas of the floor, particularly behind the three-point line at -11.5. Guard Cailyn Morgan set a career-high on Friday night with three steals against the Flames.
UNI took the early lead on a Maya McDermott three-pointer less than 10 seconds into the game. But it would be a back-and-forth offensive pace for most of the first quarter as the two teams traded shots and the lead. There were four lead changes in the first ten minutes, including a six-point run for the Panthers at the end of the quarter. UNI took a three-point lead into the second quarter after a trey from center Cynthia Wolf in the final 26 seconds of the first.
The second quarter played out much like the first in a blow-for-blow battle. It was the Panthers’ lowest-scoring quarter with only 11 points, but seven forced turnovers and five steals kept UNI in the game. The Panthers got the last points of the first half as Wolf made one of two free throws before time expired.
UIC began to find its offense early in the second half, scoring seven points in under two minutes. But a seven-point run for UNI through the middle of the third quarter gave the Panthers their largest lead of the day so far at five. It was then a game of runs as the Flames closed out the third quarter on their own seven-point run to retake the lead. UNI tied the game up for the last time in the final minute of the third on a Grace Boffeli layup.
The Panther defense had its best quarter in the fourth, keeping UIC scoreless for nearly eight and a half minutes. UNI kept the Flames off balance and capitalized on trips to the free throw line, making 10-14 attempts at the line. The final dagger of the game came from McDermott as she made a fast break jumper in the final 25 seconds, drawing a foul call as she scored. The three-point play put the Panthers out of reach on a nine-point lead with 21 seconds left. UIC made one more bucket but a final free throw from guard Kayba Laube sealed UNI’s 55-47 win.
It was a decent night on the floor for the Panthers, going 18-49 (36.7%) from the floor, 5-21 (23.8%) from three-point range, and 14-20 (70.0%) from the charity stripe. UNI shared the ball well with 12 assists while having a strong night on defense with 32 rebounds, 10 steals, and three blocks.
Two Panthers ended the night in double digits. Boffeli had her sixth 20+ point game while McDermott put up 12 points. McDermott also led the team in assists with five helpers. On defense Boffeli also led in rebounds with nine while three UNI players had three steals on the night (Morgan, McDermott, and guard Emerson Green).
UP NEXT:
The Panthers continue their road trip in the Chicagoland area with a stop in northwest Indiana. UNI will play the Valparaiso Beacons on Sunday, Feb. 12 in an early afternoon tip at 1 p.m.
