Bradley WBB Faces Northern Iowa in MVC Showdown Thursday Night
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Bradley Braves Women’s Basketball team will face off against the Northern Iowa Panthers. This matchup is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. in Peoria, Illinois, and is part of a weekend split for the Braves. Fans can catch the game on ESPN+ or follow live statistics online.
Bradley Braves Overview
The Braves enter this contest with an impressive home record of 10-0. They are currently tied for third in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) with a conference record of 7-4. Their last outing ended in a tough overtime loss against the Illinois State Redbirds. In that game, the Braves managed to limit one of the MVC’s most potent offenses to 58 points.
Bradley’s offense has been robust this season, averaging 72.2 points per game, which ranks them fourth in the MVC. Defensively, they have also performed well, allowing only 64.8 points per game, good for third in the conference. Their three-point shooting has been a highlight, leading the MVC with a 34.6% success rate and ranking 13th nationally in defending three-pointers at 25.8%.
Defensive Prowess
- Third in steals: 8.27 per game
- Third in blocks: 3.27 per game
- Turnover margin: +1.18 per game
Northern Iowa Panthers Insight
The Panthers are also tied for third place in the MVC, holding a 7-4 conference record. They come into this game with a recent victory, having defeated Drake 66-56. Despite their solid defensive performance, UNI has struggled on the offensive side, ranking ninth in scoring at 65.3 points per game.
Northern Iowa has the second-best three-point shooting percentage in the MVC at 32.0%, but their overall field goal percentage of 41.0% places them sixth in the conference. Defensively, they have excelled, allowing just 63.3 points per game and boasting the best field goal defense in the MVC at 38.0%.
Defensive Strengths
- Most defensive rebounds: 28.8 per game
- Leading in blocks: 4.43 per game
Key Players to Watch
For Bradley, Kaylen Nelson has been a standout, leading the team in their last match with 23 points, six rebounds, and zero turnovers. Over her last five games, she has averaged 20.8 points and 6.0 rebounds. Maya Foz has also been a consistent scorer, securing double-digit points in her last 14 games.
From Northern Iowa, Jenna Twedt is the team’s scoring leader with an average of 13.3 points per game, along with contributions of 1.9 rebounds and 24 assists this season. Ryley Goebel follows closely behind with 13.1 points and an impressive field goal percentage of 58.0%. Elise Jaeger leads the team in rebounding, averaging 10 boards per game.
This MVC showdown promises to be an exciting contest between two competitive teams. Both squads are looking to solidify their standing in the conference as they head into the final stretch of the season.
