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Nov. 30, 2005

Box Score

Cedar Falls, Iowa - University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team (3-1) sped past the Murray State Lady Races (0-4) in its home opener 82-62. Senior center Cassie Hager (Perry, Iowa) became the all-time Missouri Valley Conference blocked shots leader 35 seconds into the contest, blocking her 222nd career shot.

"What a great accomplishment for Cassie," head coach Tony DiCecco said. "She was worked very hard and this is one of the best stories I have ever had in my coaching career - how is has come along and how mature she had become. Brad (Nelson) has done a great job helping her develop skills. I just give Cassie a lot of credit for the progress she has made and how well she has handled herself. She had gotten to be a very good basketball player. She has broken the record in game four and we have quite a few games remaining. I think that really puts it into perspective."

Hager also had a game-high 21 points, going 7-for-8 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. Junior forward Tara King (Ottumwa, Iowa) added 18 points and six rebounds. Sophomore guard Traci Ollendieck (Cresco, Iowa) had 11 points, nailing three from three-point range, and also swatted away a career-high three shots.

The Panthers took immediate control of the contest, racing to a ten-point lead within the first eight minutes and they never trailed in the game. UNI took a 40-24 lead into halftime and only improved upon that mark in the second period.

"I thought we have had a really good balance between our inside and outside offensive game this year," DiCecco said. "When people try to take Cassie away, we can hit our threes and make them respect our outside shot.

UNI shot a season-best 50.8 percent from the field and 52.9 percent from the three-point line. It also was two assists shy of a UNI game record with 26. Junior guard Jessie Biggs (Ottumwa, Iowa) tied a career record with eight assists. The Panthers controlled the boards 40-31 and secured 17 second-chance points.