MOLINE, IL - No. 3 seed UNI advanced to the MVC Tournament championship for the fifth time in school history, beating No. 2 seed Missouri State 70-58 in the second semifinal Saturday at TaxSlayer Center in Moline, Illinois.

The Panthers led by one at the half and outscored the Lady Bears 21-10 in the final quarter to claim the semifinal win. Junior guard Ellie Howell led the Panthers with 20 points and six rebounds. Mikaela Morgan added 15 points for the victors.

Missouri State was paced by 18 points and nine rebounds from Danielle Gitzen.

The Panthers, winning its sixth-straight game, improves its record to 19-12, while advancing to the championship of the MVC Tournament for fifth time in program history including a third straight year.

UNI will face Drake at 2:00 (CT). This will be the second-straight season both schools have met for the tournament crown.