The University of Northern Iowa Panthers women’s basketball team is gearing up for a pivotal Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) showdown as they welcome the Belmont Bruins to the McLeod Center on February 7, 2026. This rematch comes at a crucial point in the season for both teams, with UNI holding an 11-11 overall record and 7-5 in MVC play, while Belmont enters with a 13-9 overall mark and an impressive 9-2 conference record. The contest, set for a 2 p.m. CT tip-off in Cedar Falls, Iowa, will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network, promising fans another chapter in a growing rivalry.
There’s no shortage of motivation for the Panthers as they return home for the first time since January 25. Their last meeting with Belmont, back on January 11 in Nashville, left a sting, as UNI fell 81-62 in a game where they struggled to keep pace with the Bruins’ high-powered offense. Jenna Twedt provided a spark for the Panthers in that contest, pouring in 15 points and knocking down three shots from beyond the arc. Ryley Goebel, ever the reliable presence, contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, but the Cats simply couldn’t close the gap. Elise Jaeger’s 13 rebounds and Bri Robinson’s team-high four assists were bright spots in an otherwise tough outing.
The Panthers are looking to bounce back after wrapping up a three-game road stretch with a tough 69-47 loss to Bradley on February 5. That defeat split the season series with the Braves and underscored the offensive inconsistencies that have occasionally plagued UNI this season. Ryley Goebel stood out as the lone double-digit scorer for UNI against Bradley, finishing with 10 points, three blocks, three steals, and three rebounds. Jaeger once again dominated the glass, hauling in 13 boards—three of them on the offensive end—while also chipping in four assists and two blocks.
Despite recent setbacks, the Panthers have plenty to be proud of this season. Ryley Goebel continues to make headlines, earning her third MVC Player of the Week honor on February 2. Her recent triple-double performance against Drake—18 points, 14 rebounds, and a record-setting 10 blocks—cemented her place in the history books. Goebel’s 10 blocks in that game set both a UNI and MVC single-game record, and she became just the second player in NCAA Division I this season to notch double-digit blocks in a single contest. In a week that saw the Panthers split two games, Goebel shot an efficient 64.7% from the floor and tallied 27 points, 23 rebounds, 10 blocks, and four steals.
Goebel’s accolades don’t stop there. She is the first Panther with three or more Player of the Week honors in a single season since Jacqui Kalin in 2012-13. Last year, Goebel became the first player in UNI and MVC history to record at least 70 blocks and 70 steals in a single season—a feat achieved by only 19 players in NCAA history. Her defensive prowess is unmatched, as she currently leads the MVC with 2.45 blocks per game (11th nationally) and is 20th in the country in field goal percentage at 57.4%. She’s also second in the league with eight double-doubles and is among only 26 NCAA players to record a triple-double this season.
Jenna Twedt has also been a revelation for UNI, earning MVC Newcomer of the Week honors on January 26. Twedt led the Valley in scoring that week with 50 total points, including a career-high 30-point explosion against Evansville. She’s proven to be one of the league’s most dangerous shooters, posting a 52.9% three-point percentage over two games and ranking second in the MVC with a 35.6% mark from deep on the season. Her ability to stretch the floor has given the Panthers a much-needed scoring punch and made her one of just three league players with multiple 20-plus-point performances last week.
As a team, UNI continues to set high marks. The Panthers lead the MVC in blocks per game (4.5), field goal percentage defense (38.3%), and defensive rebounds per game (28.7)—the latter ranking 28th nationally. Elise Jaeger, the sophomore rebounding machine, is third in the nation with 9.2 defensive rebounds per game and sits second in the Valley with 10.1 boards per contest. Her relentless pursuit on the glass has made her a key cog in the Panthers’ defensive identity.
UNI’s storied consistency is hard to ignore. The Panthers are riding an active streak of 17 consecutive seasons at .500 or better in MVC play and have finished in the league’s top half for 16 straight years—both the best active streaks among MVC men’s and women’s programs. The McLeod Center has become a fortress, with UNI finishing last season 9-6 at home, marking the 12th consecutive campaign above .500 on their home floor.
On the sidelines, head coach Tanya Warren continues to etch her name in the record books. With her 320th career victory on March 7, 2024, Warren became the Missouri Valley Conference’s all-time winningest women’s basketball coach. She also holds the record for most Valley wins, a testament to her enduring leadership and the program’s culture of excellence. Warren, in her 18th season at the helm, has overseen the Panthers’ transformation into a perennial MVC contender.
This year’s UNI squad blends experience with fresh faces. Six returners, including key contributors like Goebel, Jaeger, Robinson, and Wharton, anchor the rotation, while six newcomers—including NAIA transfer Virginia Edmondson and junior college standout Jenna Twedt—add depth and versatility. Edmondson arrives after a decorated tenure at Montreat College, where she was named Appalachian Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Twedt, a two-time First Team All-American at Kirkwood Community College, has seamlessly transitioned to the Division I level, providing instant offense and leadership.
Belmont, meanwhile, comes into the matchup riding a wave of momentum. Their 67-52 win over Drake on February 5 showcased their ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes, converting 19 Drake turnovers into 26 points. The Bruins’ defense will be a test for UNI’s ball handlers, and the Panthers will need to take care of the basketball if they hope to avenge their earlier loss in Nashville.
With so much on the line and both teams jockeying for MVC positioning, Saturday’s clash at the McLeod Center promises high stakes and plenty of drama. Will the Panthers’ home-court advantage and defensive tenacity be enough to slow down the surging Bruins? Fans won’t want to miss a minute of the action as UNI looks to notch just its second-ever win against Belmont and keep its postseason hopes alive.
As the Panthers take the floor for this critical rematch, all eyes are on Cedar Falls. The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing’s for sure—the energy inside the McLeod Center will be electric as UNI and Belmont write the next chapter in their MVC rivalry.