The UNI women’s basketball team took the lead of the Missouri Valley Conference with a victory over the Drake Bulldogs on Friday, Feb. 19, with a final score of 85-74. This marks their fourth-straight and increases the Panthers’ record to 16-9 (11-3 in MVC play).

Jen Keitel and Amber Sorenson combined for the first five points of the game. The Panthers took control as they did not give up the lead throughout the whole game.

The score was 9-4 before the Panthers scored a 9-3 run to end the first quarter with an 18-7 Panther lead. UNI never let Drake within 10 points for the remainder of the game.

Sorenson and Stephanie Davison combined for a 5-2 run to start the second quarter. Neither team could complete a long run, as they both scored on most of their possessions. Angie Davison drained a three with 1:05 remaining in the second quarter to bring the halftime score to 42-24.

The Bulldogs started the third quarter with a 9-4 run to cut the Panther lead to 46-35. Weekly responded with a 6-2 run by herself.

The Bulldogs cut the lead to 58-47 with 2:25 remaining in the third quarter. The Panthers responded with a 9-0 run for the 67-47 lead, the largest lead of the game. The third quarter ended with a 67-49 Panther lead.

The Bulldogs scored a 9-5 run to start the fourth quarter. Like the second quarter, both teams scored on most of their possessions to deny any chance of runs. The Panthers scored six free throws on their way to the 85-74 final score.

Weekly led the charge with 22 points, Stephanie Davison scored 19, Sorenson scored 14 and Keitel added 12 points.

The Panthers shot well as they made 48.3 percent of their shots and 86.4 percent of their free throws. The Panthers also took advantage of the Bulldog’s 14 turnovers and turned them into 14 points.

The Panthers return to the McLeod Center on Friday, Feb. 26 to host the Bradley Braves at 7 p.m.