Feb. 4, 2006

Box Score |  Photo Gallery

Cedar Falls, Iowa -

In its fifth straight win overall and fifth consecutive at home, UNI held Southern Illinois to 15 points in the second half.  The Panthers defeated the Salukis 49-40, and limited them to less than 50 points for the fourth straight meeting.  The last time UNI held an opponent to 40 points was Southern Illinois last season in Carbondale. 

 

Senior center Cassie Hager (Perry, Iowa) had a season-high seven blocks and junior guard Jessie Biggs (Ottumwa, Iowa) had a career-high 11 rebounds, five on the offensive end. Junior forward Tara King (Ottumwa, Iowa) led all scorers with 18 points and Hager added 11.

 

"If we are going to win big games it will be because of our defensive effort," head coach Tony DiCecco.  "Our defense really bailed us out today and SIU really took away a lot from our inside game.  We were just not as sharp today, in terms of our offensive ability.  We did get the job done and in that respect, I like what our kids are doing."

 

SIU shot 50.0 percent (12-of-24) from the field in the first half to UNI's 32.3 percent (10-of-31).  However, the Panthers held on to a narrow lead throughout the period.  Junior guard Sarah Larsen (Kalona, Iowa) hit a three-pointer with 5:45 remaining to take a four-point lead and then the Salukis went on a 4-0 run, knotting the game at 21-all.  The score seesawed for the remainder of the half until Biggs grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it back up with three seconds left, giving UNI a 26-25 lead at the break.

 

UNI had 20 second chance points in the game versus six by SIU.  The Panthers also shot a season-low 30.0 percent but held the Salukis to only 40 points, their best defensive effort this season.  The Panthers clinched a 7-0 run out of the half to build the lead to 33-25.  SIU cut UNI's lead to three points twice in the second period, including with 6:35 remaining.  From then on, the Panthers' defense held SIU to one made field goal, a layup by Jayme Sweere with 19 seconds remaining. 

 

SIU is now 8-12, 4-7 in the MVC and UNI improves to 14-6, 8-3 in the Valley.  The Panthers are on the road for five of their last seven games and play at Illinois State and league-leader Indiana State this weekend.