CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Bradley held league-leading Northern Iowa to 1-for-7 from beyond the arc in the first half, but the Panthers made 6-of-7 trey's in the third quarter to blow open the game and went on to top the Braves 65-41 Friday night at the McLeod Center.

In a contest which featured two of the best defensive teams in the conference, both teams shot 35 percent from the field and got off to slow starts to open the night.  The teams combined for nine first quarter field goals and Northern Iowa (17-9 overall, 12-3 MVC) led 14-11 at the end of the first period.

Bradley had eight turnovers in the second quarter and a seven-and-a-half minute scoreless drought allowed UNI to go on a 13-0 run.  The Braves went on to trail 29-17 at the half. 

Northern Iowa hit its first five three-point attempts in the third quarter and was 6-for-7 from beyond the arc in the period, extending the lead to 25 points (54-29) heading to the fourth.  The Panthers went on to take the game 65-41 as UNI remained alone atop the conference standings with a 12-4 record.

Sophomore Danielle Brewer (Coatesville, Ind.) had eight of her team-high 11 points in the second half to pace Bradley offensively, while freshman Vanessa Markert (Mt. Sterling, Ill./Brown County) added 10 points off the bench on 5-for-8 shooting. 

Madison Weekly led three Northern Iowa players in double figures with a game-high 19 points.  Amber Sorenson was 3-for-5 from three-point range and finished with 17 points as she and Weekly combined to shoot 6-for-11 from beyond the arc.  Stephanie Davison was also in double figures with 11 points.

Northern Iowa was 7-for-14 from three in the second half and shot 45 percent from the field after the half.  The Panthers held a 43-28 rebounding advantage on the night and owned a 13-6 edge in second chance points to go with a 16-9 lead in points off turnovers. 

Bradley continues a three-game road swing Sunday with a 2 p.m. game at Drake.