A red‑hot Jackrabbits squad handed the Northern Iowa Panthers their first defeat of the 2026‑27 campaign, winning 76‑54 in Brookings.
Key points
- UNI’s offense struggled to find rhythm after the first quarter, scoring only 54 points against a 76‑point SDSU attack.
- Elise Jaeger’s double‑double highlighted her rebounding impact, while Jenna Twedt’s 18 points kept the Panthers competitive.
- Coach Warren views the loss as a developmental step for a young roster heading into the conference schedule.
The Panthers opened their road schedule on Nov. 6 in Brookings, South Dakota, where South Dakota State built a lead that never slipped away. The Jackrabbits jumped to a 12‑4 advantage early, and despite a brief surge by UNI that cut the deficit to five points before halftime, the visitors could not sustain momentum.
Jenna Twedt emerged as UNI’s top scorer with 18 points, while forward Elise Jaeger contributed a double‑double—12 points and a season‑high 16 rebounds—marking her ninth career double‑double. The Jackrabbits shot efficiently, converting 50.9% of field goals and 41.7% from three‑point range.
Game recap and key moments
South Dakota State’s offense surged in the second half, outscoring the Panthers 40‑28. The Jackrabbits’ consistent scoring and strong rebounding, highlighted by Jaeger’s 16 boards, kept UNI on the defensive end of the court for the final 20 minutes.
Head coach Tanya Warren reflected on the loss, emphasizing the team’s youth and the learning curve ahead: “We are a young team that is learning how to win in these moments… I am confident we will grow from this, and continue to get better.” The Panthers will travel to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes on Nov. 12.
Statistical highlights
The defeat moved UNI to a 1‑1 overall record and extended its all‑time series deficit against SDSU to 5‑15. Several freshmen saw their first action, including Taylor Franck, who recorded her first collegiate points, and Anna Greene, who logged her first point and rebound.
Reader questions
What was the final score of the UNI vs. South Dakota State women's basketball game?
South Dakota State won 76‑54.
Who led UNI in scoring and rebounding?
Jenna Twedt led with 18 points; Elise Jaeger recorded 12 points and 16 rebounds.
When does UNI play its next game?
The Panthers travel to Iowa City to play the Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday, Nov. 12, with tip‑off at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Source: unipanthers.com
