NORMAL, Illinois – The UNI men’s basketball team kicked off MVC basketball play on Tuesday afternoon, falling to the Redbirds 70-76 to move to 11-2 overall and 0-1 in the MVC.
The Panthers led for just over 17 minutes in the first half. AJ Green scored the Panthers first five points before climbing out to a 15 point lead. Green would end the first half with 10 points while freshman Noah Carter finished with 8, going 3-4 from the field and 2-3 from beyond the three point arc.
UNI hauled in 21 total rebounds including 4 offensive rebounds in the first half while holding the Redbirds to just 10. The Panthers turned the ball over 10 times with the Redbirds turning over the ball just 7 times. Collectively the Panthers shot 52% (12-23) from the field.
The Panthers shot 44% from the field in the second half but knocked down just 4 of 13 three pointers. UNI managed to get to the free throw line 16 times while making 10. The Panthers recorded 17 total turnovers while the Redbirds only committed 9.
UNI led by as much as 15 points in the game, and held the lead for just over 23 minutes. The Redbirds took the lead with 13:28 remaining in the second half and managed to hold the lead for 8 minutes before Tywhon Pickford made a free throw to tie the game with 5:52 remaining. Both teams traded fouls in the final minutes but it was the Redbirds who walked away with a six point victory.
KEY STATS:
– Austin Phyfe finished with a double-double, 13 points, 12 rebounds
– Phyfe hauled in 5 offensive rebounds and 7 defensive rebounds
– AJ Green totaled 23 points, going 9-14 from the field and 3-3 from the free throw line.
– Noah Carter went 3-5 from the field and 2-4 from three for 8 points
The Panthers, now 11-2, will host the Braves of Bradley University at 7 PM on Saturday, January 4. The returning MVC Tournament Champion Braves enter the conference season at 9-4. The weekend MVC game will be played inside the McLeod Center and broadcast on ESPNU.
