LAS VEGAS (November 26, 2025) – A 21-0 run bridging the third and fourth quarters was too much for the Northern Arizona women's basketball team to overcome as they fell, 79-60 to Northern Iowa inside the Thomas and Mack Center on Wednesday afternoon.
Naomi White (19 points) and
Kayla Williams (16 points) paced NAU (1-6), as Williams posted her season-high in scoring to go along with eight rebounds in just over 17 minutes of action.
Emma Dasovich recorded five points and five assists, while
J'Bionna Robinson also posted four points and five assists, as each player reached career-highs in helpers. NAU was outrebounded by a slim 41-38 margin but won the turnover battle 20-16 and limited Northern Iowa to just six second-chance points.
Jenna Twedt led UNI (2-3) with 20 points on 5-of-14 shooting, while Elise Jaeger recorded a double-double with 13 points and 16 boards.
NAU forced UNI to miss its first six straight shots, but NAU was only able to gain a 3-0 advantage as the 'Jacks also struggled to shoot to start. A 6-0 UNI run gave the Panthers a 6-3 lead at the first media timeout. After tying it at eight, UNI responded again with a 7-3 run to lead 14-11 after one quarter.
Poor shooting from NAU in the second quarter allowed the Panthers to sustain an 8-0 run and lead 27-15 midway through the period. Another triple from White got NAU within nine, before both teams endured a scoring drought for the following two minutes. Each team then traded baskets the rest of the period to make it a 36-28 contest at the half.
UNI built a double-digit lead early in the third, thanks to 53.3% (8-of-15) shooting in the period to then lead by 15 heading into the final frame. The Panthers continued their hot shooting into the fourth to gain a comfortable advantage by the midway point of the quarter, as NAU held UNI without a field goal the last 4:46 of the contest.
The Lumberjacks played their first meeting with UNI since 1994, and trail 1-3 in the all-time series. Williams also posted her first game of the season scoring in double-figures.
NAU will remain in Las Vegas for its final game of the UNLV Thanksgiving Turkey Tip-Off, facing Creighton on Friday, November 28. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. Mountain Standard time and will be streamed on YouTube.
