The victory gives UNI its best start to a season in school history at 24-2 – eclipsing the 23-2 mark set in the 1963-64 season. UNI is also 13-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play and in a tie for first place with Wichita State. Missouri State falls to 9-17 overall and 3-11 in league action.
UNI drained 12 three-pointers for the second consecutive game. The Panthers handed out a season-high 19 assists. The Panthers were led by Seth Tuttle’s game-high 22 points (10-of-12 FGs). Deon Mitchell also contributed with 11 points, seven assists and five steals.
The Bears scored the first basket of the game only to see the Panthers run off 11 straight points. UNI pushed the lead to 16-4 with 14:19 left in the first half – a spurt that was fueled by 10 early points from Seth Tuttle.
UNI took a 42-20 lead into the intermission. The Panthers drained nine 3-pointers in the first half.
UNI pushed its largest lead to 26 at 49-23 with 17:19 left in the game. Following a Mitchell 3-pointer with 6:42 left, UNI had a 64-39 lead. Missouri State would outscore UNI the rest of the way, 18-4, to close the final margin to 11.
The Panthers will travel to Chicago, Ill., to take on the Loyola Ramblers on Wednesday at 7 p.m.