MOLINE, Ill -- It was a hard-fought battle for the UNI women's basketball team to make it onto the Hoops in the Heartland Championship game after beating the Missouri State Lady Bears 63-57.
It was a physical defensive battle through 40 minutes in the semifinal game between the Panthers and the Lady Bears on Saturday afternoon. Strong shooting in the fourth quarter and runs in the second half helped propel UNI to a win over Missouri State at the TaxSlayer Center. The Panthers had four players in double-digits and led the game in blocks with five deflects.