Panthers Fall to Valpo 63-56

VALPARAISO, Ind. – Karli Rucker scored a team-high 18 points, but UNI women's basketball couldn't overcome a 14-2 third-quarter run and fell 63-56 Thursday night at the ARC in Valparaiso.

Valpo started the game on a 12-2 run before UNI battled back to cut the lead to 18-15 at the end of the first quarter.

The Panthers hit back-to-back buckets to start the second to take a lead, but the two teams traded leads throughout the second quarter. The Panthers led 30-29 with a minute to play before the break before a Valpo layup gave the Crusaders a 31-30 advantage at the break.

UNI started the third on a 9-0 run a 14-2 run to build a 44-33 lead. With 4:56 to play in the third, but Valpo closed the…