CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Missouri Tigers are back in action tonight, traveling to Northern Iowa to take on the Panthers in first-round action of the Women's National Invitation Tournament.
The 7 p.m. matchup will be the first matchup between the teams since Missouri opened the 2009-2010 season with the 74-57 win against Northern Iowa.
The Panthers (17-14) are led by Madison Weekley with 13.8 points and Jen Keitel and Amber Sorenson are also in double figures with 11.9 and 10.6, respectfully. Sorenson is second on the team with 4.5 rebounds, while Alyssa Johnson leads the team with 6.4. The Panthers average 63.7 points per game and are allowing 60.9 to their opponents.
Jordan Frericks is the lone Tiger (17-13) to average in double figures in points with 13.7 and she leads the team with 9.9 rebounds. Morgan Eye and Sierra Michaelis are close to double figures in scoring with 9.9 and 9.6, respectfully.
Each team's head coach shares a connection with the other. Northern Iowa's Tanya Warren served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Missouri in 2001-04, and Missouri's Robin Pingeton spent seven seasons in the Missouri Valley Conference coaching at Illinois State, compiling a 7-10 record against UNI.
The winner of tonight's contest will face either Kansas State or Akron with the second round slated for March 21-24.