Illinois States Sharon Blade got her first start of the season and scored a team-high 13 points to go along with seven rebounds, but that wasnt enough to get past Northern Iowa and the hot shooting of Amy Swisher as the Redbirds fell at home 71-59.
The Panthers used a 12-0 run midway through the first half thanks to three baskets by Swisher, who had 19 of her career-high 34 points in the first half, sinking 9 of 10 field goals. The Panthers used their muscle to bounce the Redbirds out of their offense, limiting ISU to 9 of 27 first-half shooting and benefitting from nine ISU turnovers.
Alex Cook had her eighth straight double-double for UNI,11-8, 6-4 in the Missouri Valley, with 12 points and 11 rebounds, but Illinois State, now 5-14, 3-7 in the Valley, had a 37-36 rebounding edge. ISU got scoring balance as Katie Donovan, Zora Skrabalova and Jaci McCormack each scored 10 to back Blades play. Skrabalovas nine rebounds led Illinois State.
UNI led by as many as 17 in the first half before the Redbids mounted a comeback which started with back-to-back buckets by Skrabalova which helped melt the Panther lead to 38-24 at halftime.
Four points each by Blade and Taren OBrien helped ISU get back within 10 points in the first three minutes of the second half. Skrabalovas basket and free throw and a Donovan layup cut the lead to seven with 13:47 left. One minute later it was at six after McCormack hit three of four free throws making it 48-42.
But Swisher powered for back-to-back baskets and Amy Helle added another and the Panthers were back in control 56-44. Redbird coach Jenny Yopp saluted the UNI junior.
Swisher was awesome, said Yopp. I dont think Sara (Stevenson) or Katie could have tried defending her any harder. She elevated over Zora one time. She was in the zone tonight.
Despite the second-half surge by the Redbirds, Donovan still believes the Birds can come out stronger at the start.
We didnt get stops, said Donovan. We need to get better on defense. We have solid efforts and then they pull away, and we have to fight back. Were just always trying to fight back.
The Redbirds play host to Bradley at 2:05 p.m. Sunday in Redbird Arena. The Panthers play Sunday at Indiana State.
