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Nov. 25, 2005

Box Score

Boulder, Colo. - University of Northern Iowa women's basketball defeated host-team Colorado 74-65 in overtime this evening in the first round of the Coors Classic. It will now face Illinois in the Championship game tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. CST.

Senior 6-7 center Cassie Hager had her first double-double of the season, scoring a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds and adding six crucial blocks. She is now a mere four blocked shots shy of becoming the all-time Missouri Valley Conference leader in blocks.

Sophomore Kelly Lund had a career night in her first start for UNI, tallying her first collegiate double-double. The 5-11 guard scored a career-high 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, upping her previous high of two boards. Two other Panthers, juniors Jessie Biggs and Sarah Larsen, scored into double digits. Biggs, along with junior Tara King, went 100 percent from the charity stripe, sinking six.

The higher elevation did not slow down UNI's defense as it held Colorado to a 35.3 shooting percent from the field and 13.3 percent from the three-point line. Buff's 6-3 center Jackie McFarland, who had been averaging 31.0 points, was limited to only 15 total points.

RECAP

Colorado opened up with a 6-0 lead, its largest of the game. The Panthers then went on a 6-0 run of their own, knotting up the game for the first of nine times. UNI took its first lead when freshman center Amanda Brodsack hit a ten-footer from the right, her first collegiate basket. The game was then a back-n-forth battle until sophomore forward Megan Keefe gave UNI a 19-18 lead with 3:39 remaining in the half. The Panthers went on an 8-2 run to close out the first half and took a 25-20 advantage into halftime.

The Buffaloes came out shooting and sophomore guard Yari Escalera gave them their first lead of the second half (35-34) with a trey from the right with 11:45 minutes remaining in regulation. Escalera had 17 points in the second half, recording the teams' only two three-pointers.

Colorado built a five-point lead but UNI took over shortly with six consecutive made free-throws. Sarah Larsen extended the Panthers lead to seven points with six minutes remaining with a trey and a three-foot jumper. The Buffs quickly gained momentum and the lead, tallying five free throws and an Escalera three-pointer.

The see-saw battle continued, full of double-bonus fouls and layups. With 50 seconds remaining in regulation, McFarland gave Colorado a one-point advantage and then Hager responded with two of her own, assisted by Larsen, to reclaim the lead. Up one, Hager then had one of her greatest rejections ever, stuffing McFarland with 14 seconds remaining. Sophmore Traci Ollendieck was fouled getting the rebound and gave UNI a two-point lead making her second free throw. Escalera sunk two free throws to force overtime, though, in the final five seconds. 

In overtime, the Panthers outscored Colorado 16-7, making 12-of-14 free-throws. Hager gave UNI its final lead with six consecutive points.

GAME NOTES: * The last time UNI won in overtime was on 12/23/03, defeating Fairfield 83-77.

* It was a defensive and physical struggle as 55 overall personal fouls were committed in the contest. Five players, three Buffaloes and two Panthers, fouled out. Panther starting point guard junior Sarah Larsen fouled out with five seconds remaining in regulation and junior point guard Alicia Irons also recorded five fouls with 7.5 seconds remaining in overtime.

* UNI improves to 1-1 on the season and Colorado is now 1-2.

* Hager and Biggs played more than 40 minutes with 42 and 44, respectively.

* The last time UNI defeated a Big 12 opponent was at home against Iowa State, 12/8/02. The 65-58 victory was head coach Tony DiCecco's 100th career win.

* Illinois defeated Utah State 62-43 in the first round to advance to the championship game.

* The last time UNI defeated a Big 10 opponent was against the Fighting Illini during the 2000-01 season. The Panthers knocked off a 24-ranked Illinois team 74-70 in Cedar Rapids.