Illinois State (21-12 overall) jumped out quickly on the Panthers and built a 33-15 lead. UNI struggled from the floor early and went through a 2-for-20 shooting slump at one point. UNI shot 23.3 percent in the first half and trailed 36-22 at the half.
UNI (30-3 overall) used a 32-7 run to turn an 18-point deficit into a seven-point lead at 47-40. The Redbirds tied it again at 47-47 on a 3-pointer from Deontae Hawkins with 8:07 left in the game. But the Panthers responded again and ran off eight straight points to take a 55-47 lead. The 8-0 run featured two buckets from Nate Buss and another from Matt Bohannon. The Redbirds would get no closer than five points in the final seven minutes of action.
UNI shot 54.2 percent in the second half and outscored Illinois State, 47-24.
The Panthers were led in scoring by Seth Tuttle and Nate Buss, who each tallied 15 points. Tuttle also added nine rebounds and three assists.
