Offensive outburst lands UNI WBB first postseason win

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team captured the program's first-ever postseason victory on Thursday evening, riding an offensive outburst to an 83-67 win over Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI).

UNI (17-14) advances to play Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas, at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the second round of the WBI. Eight teams remain in the tournament field.

The Panthers shot 30-of-59 (50.8 percent) for the game – their highest field goal percentage since a win over Chicago State on Nov. 14 of this season. UNI surpassed 80 points for only the fourth time this season, and the Panthers racked up 22 assists to tie their second-highest output of the year.

Senior Rachel Madrigal scored a UNI postseason record 23 points to lead the Panthers' offensive attack. Madrigal also recorded seven rebounds and six assists, while draining 5-of-6 shots from beyond the arc.

Fellow seniors Katelin Oney and K.K. Armstrong had big games as well, as Oney tallied 18 points and Armstrong posted 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Armstrong's seven assists were a UNI postseason record.

Sophomore forward Jess McDowell added a career-high 13 points. Junior Amber Kirschbaum also had 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting, giving the Panthers five players in double-digits.

UNI connected on 9-of-22 three-point attempts for the game and out-rebounded the Ladyjacks 34-27. Stephen F. Austin (23-10) committed 21 turnovers.

UNI fell behind 23-14 in the game's first 12 minutes but slowly battled back to cut the halftime deficit to one point at 32-31. Madrigal poured in 12 points in the first half.

The Panthers scored the first five points of the second half to take a 36-32 lead, but SFA responded with a 7-0 run to regain the lead. The Ladyjacks led 43-40 with 13:56 remaining when Madrigal drained a trey to start a 9-0 UNI run. UNI's run expanded to 26-7 over the next six minutes, and with seven minutes remaining, the Panthers held a comfortable 66-50 advantage.

UNI stretched its lead to as much as 20, and SFA cut the margin down to 11 with 1:38 remaining, but the outcome was never in doubt as UNI held on for the 83-67 win.

UNI was 0-5 all-time in postseason play entering Thursday night's game with SFA, including two losses in the NCAA Tournament and three losses in the WNIT.

The Panthers shot 30-of-59 (50.8 percent) for the game – their highest field goal percentage since a win over Chicago State on Nov. 14 of this season. UNI surpassed 80 points for only the fourth time this season, and the Panthers racked up 22 assists to tie their second-highest output of the year.

Senior Rachel Madrigal scored a UNI postseason record 23 points to lead the Panthers' offensive attack. Madrigal also recorded seven rebounds and six assists, while draining 5-of-6 shots from beyond the arc.

Fellow seniors Katelin Oney and K.K. Armstrong had big games as well, as Oney tallied 18 points and Armstrong posted 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Armstrong's seven assists were a UNI postseason record.

Sophomore forward Jess McDowell added a career-high 13 points. Junior Amber Kirschbaum also had 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting, giving the Panthers five players in double-digits.

UNI connected on 9-of-22 three-point attempts for the game and out-rebounded the Ladyjacks 34-27. Stephen F. Austin (23-10) committed 21 turnovers.

UNI fell behind 23-14 in the game's first 12 minutes but slowly battled back to cut the halftime deficit to one point at 32-31. Madrigal poured in 12 points in the first half.

The Panthers scored the first five points of the second half to take a 36-32 lead, but SFA responded with a 7-0 run to regain the lead. The Ladyjacks led 43-40 with 13:56 remaining when Madrigal drained a trey to start a 9-0 UNI run. UNI's run expanded to 26-7 over the next six minutes, and with seven minutes remaining, the Panthers held a comfortable 66-50 advantage.

UNI stretched its lead to as much as 20, and SFA cut the margin down to 11 with 1:38 remaining, but the outcome was never in doubt as UNI held on for the 83-67 win.

UNI was 0-5 all-time in postseason play entering tonight's game with SFA, including two losses in the NCAA Tournament and three losses in the WNIT.