Bears Defeat Panthers in Home Game Showdown

The Northern Iowa Panthers faced a challenging matchup against the Belmont Bruins in their recent women’s basketball game. This heated competition took place in early February, showcasing both teams’ skills.

Bears Defeat Panthers in Home Game Showdown

The Panthers opened the month of February with an intense home game against the Bruins. The match began with Elsie Jaeger making a significant impact, starting the scoring with a three-pointer. Jenna Twedt followed suit, making two three-pointers on consecutive plays, putting the Panthers in a good position.

First Half Highlights

Despite the strong start, the Bruins quickly took charge. They closed the first quarter with a 16-14 lead, showing their prowess in both paint and mid-range shots. In the second quarter, Ryley Goebel emerged as a key player for the Panthers. She scored six of her total 14 points during this period.

• Panthers led by Jaeger and Twedt in early scoring.
• Goebel’s contributions crucial in the second quarter.
• Defensive efforts forced Belmont into five turnovers.

As the quarter progressed, the Panthers tightened their defense, leading to an impressive turnaround. Virginia Edmondson and Twedt each contributed a three-pointer, helping the Panthers claim a 28-23 lead. However, Belmont quickly retaliated with an 8-0 run, ending the half with a 31-28 advantage.

Second Half Battle

In the third quarter, both teams struggled for control. The Panthers managed to stay competitive with three three-pointers from Kaylynn Janes and Jaeger, keeping the game within reach. However, the Bruins maintained their edge, shooting 6-of-10 from the field and capitalizing on four of UNI’s turnovers, increasing their lead to 48-40 by the end of the quarter.

As the game approached its final minutes, Goebel led a determined effort for the Panthers, netting nine points. Despite UNI’s strong fourth-quarter performance and forced turnovers, the Bruins displayed remarkable shooting accuracy, finishing the game over 70% from the field.

• Final score: Bruins 68, Panthers 56.
• Belmont’s lead reached as high as 16 points.
• Pivotal turnovers impacted UNI’s chances for a comeback.

In the end, the Panthers could not close the gap, resulting in a solid 12-point victory for the Bruins. This match served as a testament to the competitiveness of both teams in the season.