Courtesy UNI Athletics Communications –
CEDAR FALLS – It was a record-breaking night for the University of Northern Iowa men’s basketball team as the Panthers swept the season series against the Evansville Purple Aces with a 95-81 victory in the McLeod Center.
UNI (11-10 overall, 5-4 MVC) drained a school-record 17 3-pointers in the triumph. The previous mark of 15 had been set on five previous occasions (most recently: Jan. 12, 2013 vs. Bradley).
Evansville’s D.J. Balentine set the McLeod Center scoring record with 43 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the floor and 19-of-21 at the free throw line (also McLeod Center record for free throws made and free throws attempted by a single player). Balentine’s 43 points tied for the third-highest single-game scoring output this season in NCAA Division I basketball. Evansville fell to 10-12 overall and 3-6 in the MVC.
The Panthers finished with four players in double figures led by 20 points each from Deon Mitchell and Seth Tuttle. Matt Bohannon drained 6-of-9 from 3-point land and finished with 19 points. Wes Washpun added 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting that included him making both of his 3-point field goal attempts. Washpun has made seven consecutive 3-pointers.
UNI stayed perfect at home this season improving to 8-0 in the McLeod Center. UNI has also defeated 11 consecutive MVC opponents in the McLeod Center.
UNI will play host to Indiana State on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
