CEDAR FALLS – UNI hosted the Beacons of Valparaiso in the Panthers’ last home weekend opener of the regular season. The Panthers and the Beacons battled a close matchup before a string of Panther runs put the matchup out of reach down the stretch.
Emerson Green opened play with a layup, scoring the 1,000th point of her career. Valparaiso followed with back-to-back layups to take a 4-2 lead. Four Panther points gave UNI the lead at 6-4 before a three-pointer from the Beacons gave Valpo the lead before the first media timeout at 7-6. A three-pointer from the Beacons out of the media timeout gave them a four-point lead at 10-6 before a six-point Panther run. Five Valpo points were followed by a pair of free throws by Rachael Heittola to close the first quarter with the Beacons on top, 15-13.
The second quarter opened with a 9-3 Panther run including a three-pointer from Kayba Laube and a pair of layups from Grace Boffeli before the media timeout. Out of the break, the Panthers took a 10-point lead with three straight baskets to push the score to 28-18. Valparaiso netted four points before Ryley Goebel scored the next four points of the matchup on back-to-back layups. An 8-3 Panther run ended the first half with UNI on top by a score of 40-27.
Boffeli opened the third quarter with a layup before a pair of Valparaiso free throws. After four points from UNI, Valparaiso went on a seven-point run to cut the Panther lead to 10 at 46-36. An 11-3 run from UNI pushed the Panther lead to 18 at 57-39. After baskets from both teams, Kayba Laube beat the third-quarter buzzer with a jump shot to end the third quarter with a 61-44 Panther lead.
Grace Boffeli scored all eight of the Panther points to open the fourth quarter with Valparaiso baskets separating each of the four opportunities. The Panthers continued the scoring with Cailyn Morgan and Maya McDermott following behind to continue the Panther run. Kayba knocked down the last points for the Panthers on a three-pointer as UNI took home a 78-59 victory.
Grace Boffeli led the offense with 19 points. She added 11 boards for yet another double-double this season. Three other Panthers recorded double-figures with 12 points from Ryley Goebel and Shateah Wetering along with 10 points from Kayba Laube.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
UNI claimed its 14 all-time victory against the Beacons. The Panthers now hold the 14-5 series record against Valparaiso.
Emerson Green became the 30th member of the Panthers’ 1,000-point club with a layup in the first quarter.
Grace Boffeli recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will play their last home game of the regular season against the Flames on March 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. The game can be streamed on ESPN+ or listened to on the Panther Sports Radio Network. Saturday is senior day. The Panthers will honor seniors Cailyn Morgan, Emily Holterhaus, and Rachael Heittola postgame!
