Box Score (PDF)

In Short…
Northern Iowa used a second-quarter surge to create separation as it handed Loyola University Chicago a 70-41 defeat this evening inside the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.  The Panthers move to 5-7 (1-0 MVC) with the win, while the Ramblers fall to 2-10 (0-1 MVC). 
 
How It Happened
Back-to-back threes from Rose Simon-Ressler and Mikaela Morgan helped Northern Iowa build an early 8-0 lead and force a Loyola timeout with 7:44 remaining in the first quarter.  A driving score by Lauren Segars put the Ramblers on the board, 10-2, shortly after.  Kailyn Strawbridge followed with an old-fashioned three-point play as part of a 10-2 Rambler run that was capped off by a Tiara Wallace layup as the Ramblers cut the margin to 12-10.  Morgan connected again from distance in the dying seconds of the frame to push the Northern Iowa lead to 17-12 after one quarter of play.
 
Megan Maahs converted in the painted area just over 30 seconds into the second quarter to ignite a 10-0 spurt for the hosts that upped the Panthers' advantage to 27-12.  Katie Salmon finished inside off of a find by Strawbridge to bring an end to the scoreless drought for the Maroon & Gold but Northern Iowa kept its foot on the gas, racing into the locker room with a 41-20 edge.
 
A Strawbridge bucket in the paint snapped a half-opening 7-0 run by the Panthers and brought the Ramblers back to within 48-24 with 7:15 to go in the third quarter.  Brandi Segars provided Loyola with a spark off the bench, scoring on three straight possessions late in the third quarter, the last of which trimmed the Northern Iowa lead to 56-32.  The Ramblers would struggle to make a greater dent in the Panthers' lead for the remainder of the evening as Northern Iowa closed out a 70-41 victory.
 
Inside The Box Score
- Abby O'Connor paced the Ramblers on the night with 11 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and three steals.  The South Bend, Ind. product has now reached double figures in scoring in six of her last eight outings.
- Wallace dished out a team-best three assists, tying her season-high in the category.
- Morgan finished with a game-high 18 points to lead Northern Iowa.
 
Up Next
The Ramblers are back in action on Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa against preseason Valley favorite Drake.  Tip-off from the Knapp Center is slated for 2 p.m.