The Northern Iowa women look to keep pace with Missouri Valley leader Illinois State on Friday night with a visit to Illinois-Chicago. The Panthers are second in the league race at 10-2 and trail the Redbirds by a game. The Flames are 5-7 in the Valley.

That’s Panther coach Tanya Warren who says handling UIC’s pressure defense will be a key to the outcome.

Warren says the Flames want to limit the amount of possessions.

Warren says a key during the stretch run of the regular season will be consistency.