MACOMB, Ill. ? Junior Katy Davenport tallied 12 points and added a career-best seven rebounds in the Western Illinois women's basketball team's 52-44 loss to Northern Iowa on Waste Management Court at Western Hall.

“The first half we just couldn't get anything going,” said head coach Leslie Crane. “They gave us plenty of opportunities, but we had too many turnovers.”

The Panthers (3-2, 0-0 Missouri Valley) used strong three-point shooting and tough defense to earn the victory. Eleven of UNI's 16 field goals came from beyond the arc and the team shot 44 percent from three-point range. The Westerwinds (1-4, 0-0 The Summit League) were held to just 44 points, the lowest so far this season and were forced into 22 turnovers by the Panther defense.

“They live and die by the three-point shot and we knew that,” Crane said. “There was some mix-ups in communications and they were able to get their feet set.”

Western started the game with a seven-point run and held UNI scoreless until the 14:30 mark. During the span the Westerwinds forced the Panthers to commit five turnovers while stealing the ball four times. UNI quickly responded and hit four-straight shots from beyond the arc to gain a 12-9 lead with 10:41 remaining in the first 20 minutes of play.

Western kept the score close until the Panthers started an 11-4 run with five minutes left in the half to head into the lockerroom with a 25-18 advantage.

The second half started out slowly with only nine points scored in the first 3:30 before the Westerwinds started a 7-0 run to tie the game at 28 with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game. The Panthers responded with a three-point shot to pull back out to a three-point lead, which they held on to for most of the remainder of the game. UNI pulled away for good with just under a minute remaining as they converted on four-of-six free throw shots.

Western will return to the road for a game with Wichita State, Saturday, December 1 at 7 p.m. before returning to Waste Management Court at Western Hall for a three-game home-stand.

Notes: Sophomore Jordon O'Brien was a perfect 2-for-2 from the field and from the free throw line until 35 remaining in the second half...she ended the night with nine points and a season-high three rebounds...she was also 4-for-4 from the charity stripe good for a career-best...junior Rasheena Salter set new career-highs in the points (5), field goals (2), and free throws (1) columns.