CEDAR FALLS — The Northern Iowa Panther women’s basketball team opened the 2026-27 season with a victory Monday, November 2, 2026, defeating St. Thomas 67-59 at the McLeod Center after overcoming an early deficit and holding off a late challenge from the Tommies.
Abby Tuttle delivered a career-best performance with 16 points, while Callie Levin scored 15 and Jenna Twedt added 13 as UNI began its season with a 1-0 record.
The Panthers outscored St. Thomas in each of the final three quarters, using a strong third-quarter surge and timely free throws down the stretch to secure the eight-point victory.
The win marked Northern Iowa’s 13th season-opening victory under head coach Tanya Warren and extended the Panthers’ unbeaten record against St. Thomas to 4-0.
UNI women overcome slow start at McLeod Center
Tuttle opened UNI’s scoring with a three-pointer, but St. Thomas established an early advantage behind an 8-0 run midway through the opening quarter. The Tommies held a narrow 15-14 lead after 10 minutes.
Northern Iowa responded immediately in the second quarter, scoring eight unanswered points to build a seven-point advantage. Elise Jaeger connected from beyond the arc, Levin converted a three-point play, and Kaylynn Janes finished a fast-break layup to help the Panthers regain control.
St. Thomas answered with five straight points, but Mya Nicholson halted the run with two free throws. Twedt and Lauren Walker added two free throws apiece before halftime, helping UNI take a 28-26 advantage into the locker room despite a buzzer-beating three-pointer from St. Thomas.
Twedt led the Panthers with eight first-half points, including six from the free-throw line. Jaeger collected four rebounds before the break, while Levin contributed three assists.
Third-quarter surge gives Panthers breathing room
Northern Iowa’s most important offensive stretch came during the third quarter. With the teams trading baskets after halftime, Janes connected on consecutive three-pointers during a 10-0 UNI run that also featured two layups.
The scoring burst gave Northern Iowa its first double-digit lead of the contest. The Panthers carried a 50-43 advantage into the fourth quarter.
St. Thomas continued attacking throughout the final period. The Tommies trimmed UNI’s advantage to six points with 1:41 remaining, but Northern Iowa responded with five consecutive successful free throws to put the game out of reach.
Abby Tuttle delivers career-high 16 points
Tuttle led the Panthers with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including three three-pointers in five attempts. She added four assists and three steals while playing a career-high 31 minutes. Her performance established new career highs in points, made field goals, three-pointers and minutes played.
Levin supplied 15 points, four rebounds and four assists while also playing 31 minutes. Her scoring total, six made field goals, rebounds and minutes were all career bests, while her four assists tied a personal high.
Twedt finished with 13 points and matched her career high by converting eight free throws. Jaeger led UNI’s rebounding effort with eight boards, including three on the offensive glass.
Maren Schmotzer recorded a career-high four steals, while Nicholson made a career-best four free throws. Freshman Callie Oakland scored her first four collegiate points and added three rebounds, one assist and a steal. Taylor Franck collected her first college rebound.
Levin, Franck, Anna Greene and Oakland were among the players making their first appearances in a UNI uniform.
Panthers extend remarkable three-point streak
Northern Iowa made seven three-pointers against St. Thomas, extending its program-record streak of consecutive games with at least one made three-pointer to 578.
The streak began December 6, 2008, against Green Bay, following a game against Northern Illinois three days earlier in which UNI went 0-for-14 from beyond the arc.
Following the victory, Warren offered a brief but enthusiastic assessment: “Great team win, hell of a job!”
UNI women’s basketball visits South Dakota State next
Northern Iowa faces its first road test of the season Friday, November 6, when the Panthers travel to Brookings, South Dakota, to meet the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at First Bank & Trust Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central, with coverage on Midco Sports Plus.
UNI enters the matchup 1-0, looking to build on its season-opening victory and late-game execution.