The Northern Iowa women take an 8-4 Missouri Valley Conference record to Nashville on Thursday night take play Belmont. The Panthers are tied for fourth in the Valley race with Murray State. Belmont is 10-2 and a game behind league leader Drake.

That’s UNI coach Tanya Warren. The Panthers have won four of their last five games and Warren says defense is the reason.

With guard Emerson Green out for the remainder of the season with an injury several players have stepped up off the bench.