The UNI men’s and women’s basketball teams took to the court over Thanksgiving break. The Panther men competed in the Paradise Jam Invitational in the Virgin Islands, while the women also took an out-of-conference competition in the Beach Classic in Long Beach, Calif.

For the men, the University of Pennsylvania halted their attempts at a win. Despite leading at halftime, UNI fell 78-71 in the first round of the invitational. AJ Green had his highest scoring game of the season thus far, tallying 23 points in the loss.

The Panthers returned to their winning ways to close out the invitational, tallying two straight over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 90-85 and the Old Dominion Monarchs, 54-53. Green matched his season high in scoring with 23 points against Colonels and 15 against the Monarchs.

In another regular season competition against Old Dominion, the Panthers headed to Norfolk, Va. The Monarchs avenged the previous loss, defeating the UNI men 72-65. Green once again led the Panthers in scoring with 18 points.

The Panther men take on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Saturday, Dec. 1, in Minneapolis, Minn.

Prior to competing in the Beach Classic, the UNI Panthers hosted and defeated the Creighton Bluejays in the McLeod Center, 65-55. Megan Maahs led in scoring with 17 points and also grabbing 11 rebounds in the contest. Ellie Howell also scored 15 points and hauled in seven rebounds for the Panthers.

In a matchup with the hometown team, Long Beach State University, the UNI women claimed victory 71-64. Several Panthers scored in double figures with Karli Rucker leading the way at 19 points. Maahs garnered 11 as Mikaela Morgan tallied 10.

In their most recent match-up with the Boise State Broncos, the Panthers fell 61-60 after leading for a majority of the contest. Rucker once again led UNI in scoring with 22 points.

The Panther women will face IUPUI in Indianapolis, Ind. on Friday, Nov. 30.