Feb. 12-17
Feb. 14 UNI at Wichita State 7 p.m. Wichita, Kan.
Feb. 16 UNI at Missouri State 1:05 p.m. Springfield, Mo.
The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team will try to continue climbing in the MVC standings when it plays at Wichita State and Missouri State on Thursday and Saturday. KWLO 1330 AM will broadcast both games, with Dallas Kincaid providing play-by-play.
The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team will hope to use its momentum from a 3-1 homestand to improve its luck on the road when it plays at Wichita State and Missouri State on Thursday and Saturday. The Panthers are coming off a weekend where they topped Illinois State and Indiana State in close games, improving to 5-6 in conference play and 9-13 overall.
One streak will come to an end on Thursday. The Panthers enter Koch Arena on a nine-game road losing streak and have not won on the road since beating Western Illinois 52-44 on Nov. 28. On the other hand, the Panthers have won their last 18 against the Shockers. Wichita State last beat the Panthers on Jan. 29, 2000, when the Shockers topped UNI, 60-47 in Wichita. UNI won the last meeting, 63-30 in the McLeod Center on Jan. 19. Traci Ollendieck was 4-7 from three-point range to lead UNI with 18 points in that game.
The Shockers (8-15, 2-9) are coming off a pair of road losses to Evansville and Southern Illinois. WSU is averaging 55.6 points per game, while allowing 65.9. Kiki Stephens is leading WSU with 13.8 points per game. She is also the Shockers' second-leading rebounder, with 6.4 per contest.
Missouri State (7-15, 5-6) fell 82-74 at Evansville after picking up a 78-58 win against Southern Illinois on Thursday. The Lady Bears also enter the weekend with a 5-6 league mark and are tied with the Panthers in the MVC's fifth position. Maggie Dwyer leads MSU with 14.5 points per game, and Tahnee Balerio scores 13.0 for the Lady Bears.
UNI trailed MSU 32-28 at the break when the teams met on Jan. 17 in the McLeod Center. The Lady Bears shot 60 percent from the floor in the second half on the way to a 78-55 victory over the Panthers.
UNI vs. WICHITA STATE
This is the 52nd meeting between UNI and Wichita State, and the Panthers took a 26-25 lead in the overall series with a 63-30 win over the Shockers on Jan. 19. The Panthers have won the last 18 meetings against WSU, including a 66-56 win when the teams last met in Wichita on Jan. 21, 2007.
UNI vs. MISSOURI STATE
This is the 56th meeting between UNI and Missouri State. The Lady Bears lead the overall series, 42-13, including a 78-55 win when the teams met in the McLeod Center on Jan. 17. MSU topped the Panthers 72-70 on Jan. 19, 2007, the last time the teams met in the Hammons Student Center.
ON THE REBOUND
The Panthers have a negative rebounding margin on the season, but that has started to change. In UNI's last five outings, UNI has grabbed an average of 38.8 rebounds, while opponents are averaging 34.8. Traci Ollendieck is averaging 8.6 rebounds per game in those games, and Lizzie Boeck and averages 6.2.
GUARDING THE GLASS
Since entering conference play, the Panthers have been led in rebounding by senior guard Traci Ollendieck. Ollendieck is averaging 7.1 rebounds per game in MVC games. Ollendieck is averaging 5.5 rebounds per game on the season, and she finished with a career-high 14 rebounds against Evansville
FIRST-YEAR SUCCESS
With the two wins last week, head coach Tanya Warren has earned the most wins by a UNI first-year head coach since the school moved to Division I in 1982. At 9-13, Warren has two more victories than the previous mark, a 7-21 season by Tony DiCecco in his first year at the helm.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Panthers are hoping to use the 3-1 record over their latest home stand for some much-needed momentum heading onto the road this week. UNI is 1-9 away from the McLeod Center this season, and the Panthers have lost their last nine away games.
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN
Jacqui Kalin is putting together a stellar season in her first year in a Panther uniform. The 5-8 guard is leading UNI with 11.8 points per game, and she has scored 14.4 points per game in UNI's last five outings. She also leads the Panthers with 89 assists (4.0/game), and 33.0 minutes per contest. The point guard is second on the team with 4.3 rebounds per game. Kalin was named MVC Newcomer of the Week on Dec. 3 following a week where she averaged 14.0 poitns, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, and on Feb. 11 after averaging 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in wins over Illinois State and Indiana State.
NAIL-BITERS
The Panthers' last five games have kept fans on the edges of their seats. UNI is 3-2 in those five contests, and its 64-52 win over Southern Illinois is the only game with a margin of more than five poings. The Panthers lost 66-63 at Drake on a three on the buzzer on Jan. 27 and fell 57-52 to Evansville in a game that saw them trail by just one with 70 seconds left. UNI picked up a 64-62 win against Illinois State in a game where UNI took a one-point lead off a three by Nicole Clausen in the game's final 40 seconds. UNI topped Indiana State 68-65 on Feb. 9, rallying from 15 points down to claim the narrow victory.
COMEBACK KIDS
The Panthers' win over Indiana State in the McLeod Center on Saturday was the first time this season that UNI has won a game after trailing at the break. The Panthers had come back to take leads against Iowa, UMBC, South Dakota State, at Indiana State and Drake, but failed to hold on for a win until Saturday. UNI trailed the Sycamores by 11 at the break, and fell behind by 15 in the second half before coming back for a 68-65 win.
TRIPLE THREATS
The Panthers' three-point attack goes beyond guards Nicole Clausen and Traci Ollendieck While those two are combining for almost four threes per game, the rest of the team has been chipping in as well. In UNI's last two games, all eight players who saw action attempted a three-point attempt, and six different Panthers connected from behind the arc.
BREAKING THE TREND
Through UNI's first 19 games, the team that has been leading at halftime has gone on to win the game. Evansville broke the streak, however, as UNI held a three-point advantage at the break but fell to the Aces, 57-52 on Saturday. It was the first time the Panthers lost at home after leading at halftime since Jan. 11, 2007, when Evansville erased a three-point halftime deficit to take a 56-54 win.
HONORS FOR BOECK
Freshman Lizzie Boeck earned Newcomer of the Week honors on Jan. 28. The Milwaukee, Wis., native picked up the award following a week where she averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. Boeck shot 54.5 percent from the floor in UNI's games against Creighton and Drake. On Jan. 24, she scored 10 points and collected two rebounds against Creighton. Against Drake, the freshman scored a career-high 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting. She also grabbed seven rebounds, all on the offensive end, and collected two blocked shots in that game. Boeck is averaging 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds this season.
THIRTYSOMETHINGS
UNI gave up just 30 points against Wichita State on Saturday, the fewest points allowed since moving to Division I in 1982. It was the second time this season the Panthers held an opponent to fewer than 40 points, and the fourth time since moving to Division I. This was the fewest points allowed by UNI since topping Luther 31-30 on Feb. 17, 1973.
GUARDING THE BOARDS
A trio of Panther guards has been clearing the boards for UNI over the last seven games. Danielle Wubbens, Traci Ollendieck and Nicole Clausen combined for an average of 15.7 rebounds per game during that stretch. Ollendieck is the Panthers' second-leading rebounder on the season, averaging 4.8 per game.
BY MENNEN
Alexa Mennen has turned into a new player as the Panthers have entered MVC play. In UNI's 11 non-conference games, Mennen averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per contest. In the Panthers' five league games, however, the sophomore is averaging 10.0 points, third on the team, and a team-leading 5.6 rebounds per contest. She is shooting 58.3 percent from the floor during that span, and she has collected two blocked shots and four steals in league play.
BELL JOINS PANTHERS
Des Moines native Charmaine Bell has transferred from Northern Illinois to join the Panther team. The 5-10 guard owns several school records at Roosevelt High and was twice named state tournament MVP. She will sit out the rest of this season and the fall 2008 semester, according to NCAA rules. At this time she is planning on redshirting all of next season so she will enter the 2009-10 campaign with three full years of eligibility.
BACK ON TRACK
The Panthers started the season as one of the hottest three-point shooting teams in the nation, shooting 37.2 percent from behind the arc and averaging 8.75 threes per game through their first eight games. After making a school-record 17 threes against UMBC, the Panthers' three-point shooting went cold, connecting on just 19-of-90 (21.1 percent) from three-point range over the next five games. The Panthers looked to be back on track against Indiana State, shooting 45.8 percent from long distance, and making 11 threes in the overtime loss. The Panthers have made 115 threes on the season, making them 67 shy of the team record for threes in a season. UNI needs to average 4.8 threes over the next 14 games to tie that mark.
STARTING ROTATION
In their 12 games, the Panthers used five different starting lineups, and 10 different Panthers have found their way into the starting five. Of the nine players currently suiting up for UNI, eight have started. Danielle Wubbens and Jacqui Kalin are the only Panthers to start every game this year.
DOUBLING UP
Erin Brocka recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Panthers' win over Weber State on Nov. 16.
SHARING THE WEALTH
In UNI's first four games, the Panthers had four different leading scorers. In each of those instances, the Panther who led the way also set a career high for scoring. Danielle Wubbens scored 14 to lead UNI to a win over Colorado State. Kristin Iehl set a new career mark with 15 points against Minnesota. Nicole Clausen scored 15 points to lead the Panthers past Weber State, and Clausen and Jacqui Kalin each scored 14 points to lead the Panthers against Iowa, a career mark for Kalin.
LONG DECEMBER
The Panthers hit the road for five straight away contests in December and were unable to collect a win during that span. UNI held second-half leads against both UMBC and South Dakota State but the home team was able to come away with the win in both games. The Panther offense struggled during the month, and UNI averaged just 49.8 points per game in those five contest.
KEEFE LEAVES
University of Northern Iowa senior forward Megan Keefe has left the team, head coach Tanya Warren announced last week. Keefe is leaving due to personal reasons, and she will remain enrolled in classes at UNI.
Keefe has played in 90 games for the Panthers in her career, averaging 5.6 points per game. She has started seven games this season, averaging nearly 25 minutes per game.
NEW ERA
In April, Tanya Warren became the seventh head coach of the UNI women's basketball program. Only two Panther coaches have posted winning records in their inaugural campaigns. Wanda Green finished 4-1 in the programs first season, 1968-69, and J.D. Anderson led the Panthers to an 18-10 season in 1980-81. Both seasons occurred before the Panthers moved to Division I. Warren needs eight wins to earn the most by a Panther first-year head coach in the Division I era.
YOUNG GUNS
With 11 of 12 players on the roster being freshmen and sophomores, UNI will rely on its young players to contribute right away this season. The Panthers started three freshmen and one sophomore in their win over Colorado State. Sophomore Danielle Wubbens led the Panthers with 14 points, and sophomore Nicole Clausen came off the bench to score 13. Erin Brocka scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds in her collegiate debut, and freshman Jacqui Kalin scored eight points and dished out six assists.
ONE GAME, ONE WIN
Tanya Warren earned her first career victory as a head coach when the Panthers topped Colorado State 72-58 Friday night. Only two other Panther head coaches won their debut games, Wanda Green in 1968 (the programs' first season) and J.D. Anderson in 1980. Warren is the first to accomplish the feat since UNI joined the Division I ranks in 1982.
PANTHERS SIGN THREE
UNI signed three players this November. Indy Uhlenhopp from North Butler High School and Katelin Oney and Kaitlin Armstrong from Cedar Rapids Washington High School have all agreed to play for the Panthers in 2008-09.
Indy Uhlenhopp is a three-time all-state, all-district and all-conference selection at North Butler High School. The 5-11 guard was also named to the all-state tournament team in 2005-06 and 2006-07, helping North Butler finish as 2A state champions in 2006 and 2007.
Katelin Oney averaged 15.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a junior. She was a first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference selection and a second-team all-state pick that year. Along with Oney,
Kaitlin "K.K." Armstrong helped Cedar Rapids Washinton reach the state semi-finals in 2006-07, and finish as state runners up in 2005-06 and 2004-05 in class 4A. As a junior, Armstrong averaged 13.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, along with 2.2 steals and 2.8 assists.
INSIDE OUT
Danielle Wubbens spent most of the 2006-07 season in at the post. With the addition of several posts to the roster, the 5-8 sophomore has been able to move back to her natural position on the perimeter.
USED TO WINNING
UNI's four in-state freshmen all join the Panther squad after tasting success in high school Erin Brocka helped North Butler win back-to-back 2A state titles. Jacqui Kalin led Sioux City North to a 4A championship in 2007, and Nelia Olson's IKM finished second in 1A in 2007, a year after winning the state title. In class 3A, Rachel Madrigal helped Decorah finish undefeated in the regular season.
PANTHERS PICKED SEVENTH
In a conference filled with teams with 3 or more starters returning, league coaches, SIDs and media members voted UNI to finish seventh in the standings this year.
CHUCK MADNESS
In 2008, the Missouri Valley Conference will hold the women's basketball tournament at a neutral site for the first time. The league's 10 teams will each head to St. Charles, Mo., from March 13-16 to fight for the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The four-day tournament will be held at The Family Arena. Tournament information can be found at www.mvcstcharles.com.
THE LAST TIME OUT
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half but rallied to beat Indiana State, 68-65 Saturday night in the McLeod Center. The Panthers shot 51 percent in the second half to erase an 11-point halftime deficit.
Freshman Lizzie Boeck led UNI with 18 points and nine rebounds, and Jacqui Kalin scored 17 points, 15 in the second half, along with seven rebounds and seven assists.
UNI (9-13, 5-6) trailed just 21-19 with seven minutes to play in the first half when the Sycamores (10-11, 4-7) rattled off an 11-0 run that gave them a 32-19 advantage with 1:51 left in the period. Danielle Wubbens hit a pair of free throws and Traci Ollendieck drained a three to cut UNI's deficit to 32-24 with 47 seconds left in the half.
Laura Rudolphi completed a three-point play with 30 seconds left that sent ISU into the break in front, 35-24.
Over the first four minutes of the second half, ISU stretched its lead to 43-28. Nicole Clausen hit a jumper with 13:39 remaining, and Kristin Iehl knocked down a three to pull the Panthers within 10, 43-33 with 12:44 to play. Ollendieck came up with a steal on ISU's next trip, and Boeck was fouled as she hit a jump shot in the paint, and the free throw pulled the Panthers within seven, 43-36 with 12:04 to play.
Kalin came up with a steal then hit a layup that made it a five point-game, but Rudolphi made one of two free-throw attempts to put the Sycamores' lead back at six.
A jump shot from Wubbens on the Panthers' ensuing possession brought the score to 44-40 in favor of ISU, and Kalin scored on a short jumper to make it a two-point game, 44-42 with 10:40 on the clock.
Erin Brocka picked up a steal on the Panthers' next defensive stand, and Boeck connected for three from the top of the key to give the Panthers a one-point lead, 45-44 at the 10-minute mark. The three capped a 17-1 run by UNI that spanned over six minutes and saw the Panthers score on seven of eight possessions.
The Sycamores quickly reclaimed the lead, however, when Angela Phillips hit a three at 8:50. Kalin found Boeck for a basket that tied the game at 47-47 with 8:28 to play.
Kalin grabbed a rebound and scored on the other end to put UNI in front, 49-47, but Maria Olsthoorn hit a three that gave the Sycamores a 50-49 lead with 7:05 to play.
Kalin answered with a three on UNI's next possession, but Angela Phillips hit a jumper that tied the game. A minute later Leah Phillips hit a three to put ISU in front, 55-52.
A three-point attempt by Boeck was blocked, but Brocka corralled the rebound and her putback cut the Panther deficit to one, 55-54 with 4:46 on the clock. Brocka collected a rebound on the defensive end, and the Panthers took advantage when Boeck scored to put UNI in the lead, 56-55 with 4:19 to play.
Kalin and Olsthoorn traded baskets, and Brocka put the Panthers up by three with a layup off a Kalin assist at 2:34. Kalin found Boeck cutting to the basket at 1:46, and her layup stretched UNI's lead to 62-57.
Rudolphi was fouled as she hit a jump shot, and her free throw trimmed the UNI lead to 62-60 with 1:23 left.
Kalin found Brocka under the basket at the one-minute mark, and the layup made it a two-possession game, 64-60.
The Sycamores elected to send the Panthers to the line, and with 17 seconds left, Kalin hit a pair of free throws that brought the score to 66-60.
With 12 seconds left, Angela Phillips was fouled, and her free throws made it a 66-62 Panther lead. Boeck missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Olsthoorn came up with the rebound. With 5.2 seconds left, Leah Phillips hit a three to make it a one-point game in favor of UNI.
The Panthers were able to inbound the ball, and the Sycamores sent Kalin to the line with 4.2 seconds left. The freshman hit the pair to bring the score to 68-65 in favor of UNI.
Kelsey Luna's three-point attempt at the buzzer was deflected by Kalin to secure the win for UNI.
PANTHERS ON THE RADIO
UNI is in a multi-year agreement with KWLO 1330 AM (Star 1330) to broadcast UNI women's basketball.
PRESS LUNCHEON
Each Monday, UNI's in-season coaches speak at noon in the back room of Pepper's Sports Bar and Grill, located on 18th Street in Cedar Falls. The public and media are invited to attend and hear what Tanya Warren and the other coaches have to say about their teams.
SCOREBOARD PHONE
For the 15th consecutive season, the MVC will utilize its scoreboard phone. By calling (314) 699-6821, fans and media can obtain scores from team sports seasons. Audio scores also may be obtained by visiting www.mvc-sports.com.
