UNI Panthers Struggle in Tough Loss Against UIC
The UNI women’s basketball team had a tough night in Chicago as they faced off against the UIC Flames in their second-to-last game of the regular season. Despite a strong opening, the Panthers couldn't keep up, ultimately falling 76-57 in a game where offensive struggles defined the night.
Right from the tip-off, UIC came out strong with the first four points, but UNI’s Ryley Goebel quickly responded to even things up. The first quarter was competitive, with both teams trading buckets, and the Panthers managing to tie the game at 17. However, from that point forward, UIC started to take control. Despite UNI finishing the first quarter on a solid 10-for-25 shooting clip, their three-point shooting was nearly non-existent, hitting just one of eight attempts from deep.
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The second quarter saw Goebel keeping UNI in the fight early with back-to-back baskets, but a crucial 8-0 UIC run shifted the momentum. The Panthers found themselves trailing 36-28 at halftime, struggling to generate offense beyond the arc. Goebel led the first-half scoring for UNI with 10 points, but as a team, the Panthers couldn't find their rhythm.
Unfortunately, the second half didn’t bring much relief. UIC continued to apply pressure, outscoring UNI 40-29 over the final two quarters. The Panthers’ struggles extended to the free-throw line as well, managing just 2-for-10 from the charity stripe. Goebel put up an impressive individual performance, finishing with a career-high 21 points along with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. However, she was the only Panther to reach double figures, with Maya McDermott adding nine points.
Despite the loss, there were a few bright spots for UNI. McDermott passed Karli Rucker for second place on UNI’s all-time scoring list and climbed to seventh on the single-season assists leaderboard. Goebel’s defensive prowess also stood out, as she entered UNI’s top-10 list for single-season steals.
With this defeat, UNI’s record now sits at 15-15 overall and 10-9 in conference play. The Panthers still have one more opportunity to finish the regular season strong when they take on Valparaiso on Saturday. A win would secure their 12th consecutive season at .500 or better, making it a must-win game for the program. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+ and follow along on the Panther Sports Radio Network.
While this game was a setback, UNI still has a chance to bounce back and carry momentum into the postseason.
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