Courtesy UNI Athletics Communications
CHICAGO, Ill. – The University of Northern Iowa men’s basketball team fell to 10-10 on the season as the Loyola Ramblers rallied in the closing minutes to force overtime and eventually got past the Panthers, 93-87.
UNI was led in scoring by junior point guard Deon Mitchell with 23 points. Mitchell scored all 23 of his points in the second half and overtime. Mitchell drained four 3-pointers in the final 25 minutes of action.
The Panthers (4-4 MVC) also got double-figure scoring from Seth Tuttle with 17 points. Nate Buss and Matt Bohannon also chipped in with 12 points for the Panthers.
Loyola (8-12 overall, 3-5 MVC) was led by Milton Doyle’s game-high 28 points. Doyle made 8-of-11 field goals and 10-of-11 at the foul line. The Ramblers made 26-of-28 free throws in the contest.
The Panthers opened up a seven-point lead in the first half at 17-10 with 9:07 left before intermission. UNI held the Ramblers scoreless from the 14:55 mark to the 8:30 mark of the first half. UNI also led 32-26 with 1:50 left in the half. But the Ramblers scored the final two baskets including a shot at the buzzer by Jeff White that cut the halftime lead to 32-30 in favor of the Panthers.
UNI led 74-68 with 1:52 left in the game after Mitchell drove to the bucket and scored a layup. The Ramblers made four free throws to cut the lead to 74-72 with 1:17 left. Then Wes Washpun knocked in a pair of free throws with 1:14 left to bump the lead back to four.
Loyola’s Jeff White sank a pair of free throws with 1:08 to cut the lead to two. Washpun missed a jumper on the Panthers’ ensuing possession allowing Loyola a chance to tie or win it on its final possession. Loyola’s Christian Thomas drove to the hoop and drew a foul with 17.6 seconds left and proceeded to make both free throws.
UNI had three chances to win the game in the closing seconds as Mitchell drove the lane and missed a layup. Tuttle got the offensive rebound and his putback rolled off the rim and another tip just before the buzzer by Tuttle came up short.
Loyola’s Devon Turk drained a three-pointer to begin overtime and the Ramblers would not trail again. Loyola made 7-of-8 free throws in the extra session. Mitchell hit a 3-pointer with 20.8 seconds lef to trim the margin to 90-87, but the Panthers could get no closer.
UNI will be in action again on Wednesday back at home in the McLeod Center against the Evansville Purple Aces. The game will tip at 7 PM.
