Preview: Valparaiso at Northern Iowa Women’s Basketball CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Interstat) — The Northern Iowa Panthers look to get back to .500 in Missouri Valley Conference play Thursday when they host the struggling Valparaiso Beacons at McLeod Center. The Panthers (13-13) are coming off a narrow 64-63 overtime road loss to Evansville last Saturday, a game in which standout Ryley Goebel scored 23 points and blocked seven shots. Northern Iowa had won two straight prior to that defeat. Goebel has been a force for UNI, averaging 20.3 points and 5.9 blocks over her last seven games. Her dominant stretch includes a triple-double with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks in a win at Drake on Feb. 1, and a 32-point performance against Indiana State on Feb. 12. Valparaiso (0-27) continues its search for its first win of the season. The Beacons are riding a 27-game losing streak dating to last season. Their most recent outing was a 79-68 loss at Drake on Feb. 19, where Fiona Connolly led the team with 20 points. Connolly has been a bright spot for Valpo, averaging 14.1 points over her last seven contests. She posted 22 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks in a close loss to Southern Illinois on Feb. 7. Northern Iowa won the first meeting this season decisively, 86-52, at Valparaiso on Dec. 29. The Panthers have won 12 consecutive matchups in the series. For Valparaiso, the schedule offers little respite as it faces the heart of the MVC. Following Thursday’s game, the Beacons host Illinois State on Saturday. Northern Iowa continues its homestand against Illinois-Chicago on Saturday before hitting the road to face Indiana State next week. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST at McLeod Center.