The University of Northern Iowa women's basketball team secured a 73-70 win over the Bradley Braves on January 18 at the McLeod Center. Ryley Goebel led the Panthers with a career-high 32 points and 12 rebounds in a game featuring 10 lead changes. Bradley had chances to tie late but missed crucial three-pointers.
In a closely contested Missouri Valley Conference matchup, the UNI Panthers hosted the Bradley Braves inside the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on January 18, 2026. Both teams shot over 40% from the floor, trading leads 10 times throughout the game.
Ryley Goebel set the tone early, scoring the Panthers' first 11 points, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and a three-pointer. Bradley responded with an and-one three-pointer to lead 14-11 at the first-quarter timeout, but Goebel closed the period with four points, including her second triple, tying the score at 21-21.
The second quarter saw UNI edge ahead 16-15, leading 37-36 at halftime. Goebel had 18 points and eight rebounds by the break, while Elise Jaeger contributed six points, three rebounds, and three assists.
UNI built its largest lead in the third quarter with an 11-5 run, capped by eight points from Goebel, reaching 55-44. Bradley fought back with a 10-2 run to end the quarter, trailing 57-54.
The fourth quarter opened with a seven-point Panther surge, including a three-pointer and free throws from Jenna Twedt, extending the lead to 10. Bradley narrowed it to one point at 68-67, but UNI made five free throws in the final 15 seconds. The Braves missed two three-point attempts at the buzzer, sealing the 73-70 victory.
Goebel finished with 32 points on 14-of-18 shooting, two threes, 12 rebounds, five blocks, and three steals—her seventh double-double this season and career highs in points, field goals, and threes. She became the seventh Valley player with 200 career blocks. Twedt added 16 points with four threes and four free throws. Jaeger recorded career-high five steals and five assists.
The win improves UNI to 9-8 overall and 5-2 in conference play, extending their all-time series lead to 54-37 over Bradley. UNI's three-pointer streak reached 563 games with six makes. The last Panther with 30-plus points was Maya McDermott's 35 last season at Murray State.
UNI hosts Murray State on January 23 at 6 p.m. CT, featuring a 'Panthers and Paws' promotion allowing fans to bring dogs.
