UNI Clinches Victory in Thrilling Final Moments of Tough Road Battle

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Missouri State restrained Northern Iowa significantly below its seasonal shooting percentage while achieving its finest road shooting performance since early December. However, the host Panthers exploited their numerous free throw opportunities to narrowly overcome the Bears, 79-68, in MSU’s concluding visit to the McLeod Center.

The Bears (7-13, 0-9 MVC) reduced the deficit to four after a shot-clock-beating basket off the backboard from Chase Martin with 5:53 remaining. Nevertheless, the visitors went the subsequent four minutes without scoring while UNI (12-8, 6-3) concluded the game at the foul line, primarily relying on Tytan Anderson who tallied 21 points, including 11-for-14 at the line.

Zaxton King topped the Bears with 17 points, while Michael Ose-Bonsu contributed 11, and Dez White added 10. MoState recorded 25-of-47 (.532) from the field throughout the game, which included yet another 11 three-pointers to equal a seasonal high, and 7-of-10 at the free throw line. The Bears equaled the Panthers on the boards, 27-27, but conceded eight second-chance points.

King’s five three-pointers marked a season best.

UNI, which entered the contest ranked in the top 10 nationally for field goal shooting, finished the night at 25-of-52 (.481) overall, 7-of-16 (.438) from beyond the arc, and 22-for-29 (.759) from the charity stripe.

A jumper by Will Hornseth with 13 minutes to go extended UNI’s six-point halftime lead to twelve before MSU reacted with a 7-0 run. Martin scored up close, King sunk a three, and Michael Ose-Bonsu made a shot off the glass to narrow it to 56-51.

Following the under-eight timeout, Martin’s three-pointer brought it to 61-57. He would reduce it to a four-point game once more at the 5:53 mark, but the Bears were unable to bridge the gap towards the finale, converting 8-of-10 free throws in the closing five minutes.

During the first half, UNI shot precisely 50 percent from the field, yet the Bears stayed within 37-31 of the hosts, thanks in part to 11 points from Zaxton King, including three three-pointers.

The Panthers led by as many as seven before a Logan Epes three-pointer narrowed it to 33-29 with 2:42 left in the half. UNI then finished the half on a 4-2 run, including Tytan Anderson’s sole bucket of the period.

The Bears will return to Great Southern Bank Arena on Saturday, Jan. 25 to face Drake (3 p.m.) during Hall of Fame weekend.

The Hall of Fame Saturday match will feature an appearance from Chiefs’ mascot KC Wolfe along with Stripe Out and Kids Day festivities.

Tickets for the Drake game can be obtained at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or through the Missouri State box office at Great Southern Bank Arena, (417) 836-7678, during standard box office hours. 

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