The U-N-I women will try to maintain at least a share of second place in the Missouri Valley race when they visit Bradley on Friday night. The Panthers are 9-4 in the Valley and beat Bradley in their first matchup in Cedar Falls.

U-N-I coach Tony DiCecco says this will be a tougher challenge. He says it’s a similar environment to the West Gym where his team plays. DiCecco says his team will look forward to the challenge as every game is important.

The Panthers are one of the top defensive teams in the conference and DiCecco says that begins with the shot blocking ability of center Cassie Hager. He says she changes the game alot in what the other team can do.

Bradley has struggled to a 2-11 Valley mark but coach Paula Buscher’s team has been competitive at home. Buscher says to have a chance her team will need to do a better job defensively against the Panthers. The other teams involved in the chase for second place meet in Des Moines as 8-4 Drake will host 9-4 Evansville on Friday night.