Indiana State women’s basketball fell 75-65 to Northern Iowa in its Missouri Valley Conference opener Sunday afternoon at Hulman Center. The Sycamores, playing their first home game in 45 days, saw three starters score in double figures but couldn’t overcome the Panthers’ second-half surge.
Keslyn Secrist led Indiana State with 17 points, her highest total in an MVC game, while Chloe Williams and Bella Finnegan added 11 points each. Finnegan, making her first start of the season, also grabbed five rebounds. Williams contributed a team-high seven rebounds and three blocks, while Saige Stahl and Savannah White each added six boards. Indiana State shot a season-high 53.6% from beyond the arc, with Secrist and Finnegan combining to hit six of the team’s seven three-pointers.
The Sycamores started strong, shooting nearly 50% in the opening quarter while playing tough defense to take a 17-13 lead. Early baskets from Stahl and Finnegan gave Indiana State the lead, and Secrist’s personal 5-0 run extended the advantage. Northern Iowa responded with a 10-0 run to start the second quarter, gaining momentum as the teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half. Secrist’s scoring and a late jumper from Davina Smith helped the Sycamores cut the deficit to 31-28 at halftime.
Northern Iowa extended its lead to 10 points midway through the third quarter, but the Sycamores rallied behind Secrist’s shooting and Williams’ inside presence. A layup from White and a three-pointer by Secrist in the final minute of the quarter brought Indiana State back within five at 49-44 heading into the fourth. Early in the final period, Secrist and Finnegan scored to make it a one-point game, but the Panthers answered with a decisive 9-0 run. Despite late baskets from Williams and Stahl, along with three-pointers from Finnegan and Williams, the Sycamores were unable to close the gap as Northern Iowa sealed the win from the free-throw line.
Indiana State finished the game shooting 42.6% from the field, better than Northern Iowa’s 35.8%. The Sycamores also registered a season-high six blocks, with Williams tying her season best. However, Northern Iowa’s ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities and maintain composure in the closing minutes proved decisive.
The Sycamores now turn their attention to a road game against Illinois State on Thursday, January 1, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Indiana State will look to rebound in MVC play as the conference schedule unfolds.
