The Panther women’s basketball team headed out west last week to Las Vegas to participate in the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30.  Unable to extend their 5-0 start to the season, the Panthers ultimately fell 87-77 to Alabama and 64-46 to Ohio State.

On Friday night, the Panther offense came out strong in the first quarter, outscoring the Crimson Tide 21-16.  Nicole Kroeger led the Panthers with 14 points, while Karli Rucker, Megan Maahs and Kristina Cavey each added 12 points. The Panthers shot over 41 percent from behind the arc, but were unable to hold off the Tide offense who shot over 53 percent from the field and 45 percent from three.

The Panther women returned to the South Point Arena Saturday night for a matchup  against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

UNI came out slow against the Buckeyes early in the first quarter, falling behind 22-9. Kam Finley was a key player in the game, scoring 16 points for the Panthers and going 50 percent from the three.  The Panthers struggled offensively and were unable to catch up to the Buckeyes nine point lead in the fourth quarter.

With the two losses, the previously unbeaten Panthers now sit at 5-2 on the season.

Up next, the Panthers will travel to Nebraska for a pair of games, facing off against Creighton on Sunday, Dec. 8 and Omaha on Tuesday, Dec. 10.