NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Sanaa Tripp erupted for a season-high 25 points, leading a dominant offensive display as the Belmont Bruins defeated the Northern Iowa Panthers 81-62 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Sunday at Curb Events Center.

The Bruins, improving to 10-7, seized control with a blistering first-quarter run and never looked back, showcasing superior efficiency and ball movement against a struggling Panthers squad that fell to .500 at 8-8.

Tripp, a guard from Covington, Georgia, who had not scored more than six points in her previous four games, was the catalyst. She shot 9 of 16 from the field, including 5 of 9 from three-point range, and added five assists and four rebounds in 37 minutes. Her performance ignited an offense that operated with precision, assisting on nine of its 27 made field goals while committing only 10 turnovers.

The game’s decisive stretch came early. After Northern Iowa’s Jenna Twedt opened the scoring with a jumper, Belmont unleashed a 16-2 run over the next five minutes. The surge was fueled by defensive pressure and sharp outside shooting. Tuti Jones and Tripp connected on three-pointers, and Avery Strickland contributed a jumper and a three-pointer during the burst, staking the Bruins to a 16-4 lead. Northern Iowa, hampered by early turnovers and blocked shots, could not muster a consistent response.

Belmont’s offensive rating of 118.2 points per 100 possessions starkly contrasted with Northern Iowa’s mark of 91.7, underscoring the disparity in execution. The Bruins shot 46.6% from the field and a scorching 50% from beyond the arc, making 12 three-pointers. They also converted 15 of 18 free throws. Northern Iowa managed just 33.9% shooting overall and 32% from three-point territory, though they were efficient at the line, making 14 of 16.

Quinn Eubank was a force inside for Belmont, posting a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds to go with two blocks. Strickland added 16 points, and Jones orchestrated the offense with seven assists and five rebounds. Hilary Fuller provided a strong two-way presence off the bench with eight points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

For Northern Iowa, Ryley Goebel led the way with 14 points and seven rebounds. Twedt scored 15 points, and Elise Jaeger grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. The Panthers were plagued by ball security issues, tallying only two assists against 12 turnovers, which Belmont converted into nine steals.

The Bruins maintained a double-digit lead for nearly the entire contest after their initial run. Northern Iowa closed the gap to nine points early in the third quarter after a three-pointer from Twedt, but Belmont answered immediately. Tripp hit a three-pointer on the next possession, followed by a Strickland three, to push the lead back to 15 and effectively snuff out the Panthers’ last significant threat.

Belmont’s defense was equally impactful, recording nine steals and five blocks. They consistently disrupted Northern Iowa’s offensive sets, leading to difficult shots and a season-low two assists for the Panthers.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Belmont entered the game with an 81% probability to win, a projection they validated with a comprehensive performance. The Bruins have now won five of their last six games.

Northern Iowa will look to rebound when it hosts Bradley next Sunday. Belmont continues its homestand, facing Indiana State on Thursday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in a rematch at Northern Iowa on Feb. 7.