Northern Iowa fends off Illinois State 75-66
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Wes Washpun scored 18 points, Jeremy Morgan added 13, and all five Northern Iowa starters scored in double figures in a 75-66 win over Illinois State on Saturday.
Paul Jesperson had 12 points while Bennett Koch and Matt Bohannon added 10 apiece for Northern Iowa (16-12, 8-7 Missouri Valley), which bounced back after its six-game win streak was snapped in a loss to Loyola of Chicago on Wednesday.
Northern Iowa led by 14 at halftime but started the second half cold, making 2 of 9 from the field and allowing Illinois State to pull within three, 49-46, with 10:25 left.
The Panthers closed with makes on 10 of 13 attempts to stave off a Redbirds comeback.
Tony Wills had 13 points while Deontae Hawkins and Paris Lee each added 12 for Illinois State (17-11, 11-4).