|  Box Score |  Postgame Press Conference 

WICHITA, Kan. – A slow first half for the Shockers was too much to overcome as Wichita State fell to Northern Iowa by a score of 55-44 Friday night in Charles Koch Arena.

Wichita State was led in scoring by TaQuandra Mike with nine points while Rangie Bessard and Jyar Francis contributed a team-high nine rebounds and two assists respectively.

Northern Iowa was led by Jen Kietel, scoring a game-high 18 points and also grabbing eight rebounds. Amber Sorenson also contributed by grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds.

Both teams began the game shooting poorly from the field, with Wichita State only making one of their first eight shots and Northern Iowa making two of their first eight. The Panthers were able to score three points from the free throw line, giving UNI an early 7-2 lead.

As the Panthers found their shooting touch, Northern Iowa's defense held the Shockers to just one more basket making the score 16-4 at the end of the first quarter.

To begin the second quarter, the Panthers pushed their lead to 22-6, but a layup and a three-pointer by Francis cut the lead to 22-11.

Northern Iowa pushed their lead to 34-14 at halftime, with the help of an 11-0 run.

The Wichita State defense came out strong in the third quarter, holding Northern Iowa to just eight points and cutting the Panthers' lead to 43-25 by the end of the quarter.

The Shockers fought hard in the fourth quarter outscoring the Panthers, 19-11, but the Panthers' lead was too big for Wichita State to overcome, losing the game, 55-44.

Wichita State falls to 3-11 (1-2) on the season, and will be in action again on Sunday, Jan. 10 as the Shockers host Drake at 2:00 p.m., in Charles Koch Arena.