Flyers women’s basketball shut down in 70-56 loss to Northern Iowa in WNIT first round

The UD women’s basketball team fell 70-56 to Northern Iowa in the first round of the WNIT on Friday. Photo courtesy of Christian Cubacub, Flyer News.

Peter Burtnett
Sports Editor

The Dayton Flyers women’s basketball team was shut down 70-56 to Northern Iowa in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament first round on Friday in Rockford, Ill.

Shooting just 33.9 percent from the field, the Flyers never got a hold on the game after dropping behind 20-13 in the first quarter.

The second quarter was more balanced, and the Flyers went into halftime trailing 39-29.

A three-pointer from freshman guard Makira Cook, who led the Flyers with 16 points, cut the deficit down to 44-39 with 3:29 remaining in the third quarter, but the Panthers then went on a quick 6-0 run to push the lead back up to 11.

Though the Flyers were able to cut the deficit back down to seven heading into the fourth quarter, the Panthers opened the final frame on a 11-1 run to push the lead up to 61-44 with 7:12 left in the game.

The Flyers weren’t able to recover from this deficit, and come up short with a 70-56 loss to the Panthers, and finishing 14-4. Redshirt senior guards Erin Whalen and Jenna Giacone, who averaged a combined 26.5 point per game, combined for just 11 on Friday.

The Flyers will now have a chance in the consolation bracket, where they will face the loser of Creighton and Bowling Green.