In a thrilling showdown in Chicago, the UNI Panthers Women’s Basketball team faced off against the UIC Flames to kick off the final weekend of the regular season. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams giving it their all on the court. However, despite a valiant effort from the Panthers, the UIC Flames emerged victorious with a 76-57 win.
A Hard-Fought Battle on the Court
Right from the tip-off, the Flames came out strong, securing the first four points of the game. However, Ryley Goebel of the Panthers quickly responded, matching the score with four points of her own. The first quarter was a seesaw battle, with both teams trading baskets. UNI managed to find their rhythm towards the end of the quarter, hitting their last six field goals and sinking four free throws to tie the game at 17.
As the game progressed into the second quarter, Goebel continued to shine, scoring back-to-back buckets for the Panthers. Despite her efforts, a blistering eight-point run from UIC helped them take the lead, which they maintained heading into halftime with a score of 36-28. The Panthers struggled from beyond the arc, managing to sink only one three-pointer in the first half. Goebel led the scoring for UNI in the first 20 minutes, notching 10 points on an impressive 4-for-5 shooting from the field.
A Strong Finish for the Flames
In the second half, the Flames continued to dominate, outscoring UNI 40-29 to secure a commanding 76-57 victory. The Panthers faced challenges both from the free-throw line, going 2-for-10, and from three-point range, hitting just 1-for-7 in the second half.
Despite the tough loss, Ryley Goebel delivered a standout performance, leading all players with 21 points. She also contributed five rebounds, two assists, and two steals to her stat line. Goebel was the lone Panther to reach double figures, with Maya McDermott as the next highest scorer with nine points. Elise Jaeger showcased her prowess on the boards, finishing with a team-high nine rebounds.
As the final buzzer sounded, UNI’s record for the season now stands at 15-15 overall and 10-9 in conference play. The Panthers will now set their sights on their upcoming matchup against the Valparaiso Beacons as they aim to continue their streak of 12 consecutive seasons at .500 or better. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 8, with the game broadcast on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network.
Maya McDermott also achieved significant milestones in the game, surpassing Karli Rucker for the no. 2 spot on UNI’s all-time scoring list. McDermott’s nine points in the contest helped her climb the ranks in UNI’s record books. Additionally, McDermott moved up to no. 7 on UNI’s single-season assists list, showcasing her versatility on the court.
Ryley Goebel’s standout performance included a career-high 21 points and a spot in UNI’s top-10 for single-season steals. With two steals against the Flames, Goebel tied Ann Miller for no. 10 with 66 steals on the season. UNI also maintained their impressive streak of consecutive games with a three-pointer, extending it to 542 games with a pair of triples against UIC.
