CEDAR FALLS – UNI women’s basketball hosted the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in its final home non-conference matchup of the season. After a dominant first quarter by the Jackrabbits, UNI edged out a lead heading into the final frame but was unable to outlast the Jackrabbits as SDSU claimed a 59-57 victory at the final buzzer.
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits started hot from deep and went 7-for-9 (77.8%) from range over the first 10 minutes of play. The Panthers didn’t back down in the quarter and put up 18 of their own points and trailed by just three heading into the second quarter. The Panthers came to life in the second quarter and held the Jackrabbits to just five points in the frame, all from the free-throw line. UNI scored 17 points in the quarter, including five from Taryn Wharton, to take a 35-26 lead into the halftime break.
Elise Jaeger led the Cats after 20 minutes with nine points and five rebounds. Ryley Goebel scored eight points, brought in four boards, and came up with three steals in the first half. Jaeger and Goebel each recorded a block in the first 20 minutes of play.
The Jackrabbits stormed back in the third quarter and brought it within one heading into the final frame with a 15-7 advantage over the quarter. With a one-point advantage heading into the final 10 minutes, the Panthers battled through the fourth, but were unable to hold off the SDSU offense. The Jackrabbits outscored the Panthers 18-15 in the final frame and came away with a 59-57 victory.
Elise Jaeger led the Panther offense with 13 points. She added eight boards, two assists, two steals, and a block. Ryley Goebel finished with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double and added five blocks and three steals. Abby Tuttle finished with six assists.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
UNI falls to 4-5 on the season and 5-14 all-time against the Jackrabbits.
UNI continued an active program-record 555-game three-pointer streak with six triples against South Dakota State.
Ryley Goebel finished with three steals and moved into the No. 9 spot on UNI’s all-time steals list, passing Kelley Westhoff (1993-97).
Goebel finished with 12 points and 10 assists, her third double-double performance of the year. She also tied a career-high with five blocks.
Abby Tuttle dished out a career-high six assists.
UP NEXT
The Panthers head to Ames, Iowa to take on No. 10 Iowa State on Sunday, December 14. Tipoff at Hilton Coliseum is slated for 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Listen live to Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on the Panther Sports Radio Network.