Fast and furious play with senior dominating leadership helped the ISU women’s basketball team notch a seven-game winning streak, defeating Northern Iowa 70-64 in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Thursday night.

“It was definitely one of those games where UNI was good at all of their positions,” senior Nicolle Lewis said on WJBC after the game. “It was really a dog fight, the game was choppy at times and they had us on our heels.”

The lead changed seven times in the last two minutes of the first half. Senior Maggie Krick broke the Redbirds’ cold streak near the end of first period with a long range three-pointer, knotting the score to 23-all, which put the Panthers’ buzz to a hush.   

ISU’s 31-30 halftime lead and run of confidence carried well into the second half with a momentous three from junior Hannah Spanich, followed by an even deeper triplefrom Krick, giving the ‘Birds a four-point advantage.

“I thought we got into a little more of a rhythm in the last couple minutes of the first [half],” Pingeton said. “And we came out of the gate fighting in the second half too.”  

The game’s momentum jolted back and forth throughout the second half, but fortunately for ISU, depth on the bench put the Panthers in a trailing position.

The ‘Birds’ reserve players added 12 points to the scoreboard while the team went 13-of-16 from the free-throw line. 

The first half, however, was a different story. Until the very end of the half, ISU had trouble making anything work. It was not until the  11:39-minute mark that the Redbirds had any hope of staying in the game.

The Panthers quickly hit three triples in the beginning of the game and went on nearly a four minute-run that ended with a three-pointer from Bracey.

The Redbirds shot themselves in the foot before finally settling down, turning the ball over 12 times in the first half and giving up 14 points to the Panthers.

“I feel like we had a breakdown on defense [in the first half] and it was sloppy at times,” Pingeton said. “But our team is mature and it helps having a veteran ball club to clean it up a bit.”

ISU has not lost a single game this season when a Redbird player was able to rack up a double-double, and the team’s 19th game was no exception.

Senior Ashleen Bracey finished the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while senior Nicolle Lewis followed with 16 points and 10 boards. The game marked Lewis’ seventh double-double of the season and it was Bracey’s fifth.

Bracey, Lewis and senior Maggie Krick combined for 51 points and 26 rebounds.

“Our seniors have been through a lot and are great leaders,” head coach Robin Pingeton said.

“After we fell behind 9-0 to start the game, the seniors really took accountability in the huddle and rallied to team. They showed great toughness and came up with big plays on offense and defense.”

Krick ended the game with 14 points and six rebounds. Spanich finished the night with eight points. The Redbirds finished with 50 percent shooting from the field.   

ISU (14-5, 7-1 MVC) will head to Ramsey Gymnasium in East Peoria, Ill. on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. to face rival Bradley (10-8, 6-2 MVC).