CEDAR FALLS – The UNI men’s basketball team defeated the Bradley Braves 69-65 on Saturday night inside the McLeod Center. The Panthers are now 12-2 on the season and 1-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
The Panthers shot 34 percent in the opening 20 minutes while the Braves managed to finish the half shooting 44 percent. After trailing the majority of the half, AJ Green buried a three with 37 seconds left to give the Panthers a two point lead at the break.
AJ Green finished the half with 13 points, going 5-12 from the field and 3-7 from beyond the arc. In his first start of the season Tywhon Pickford hauled in 13 rebounds in the first 20 minutes of play. The Panthers, who has led the first half by an overwhelming margin, led for only 1:07 in the first half.
The second half saw eight lead changes and aggressive play in the paint. AJ Green continued his impressive play, finishing the second half with 22 points, going 5-8 from the field and 8-8 from the free throw line.
UNI managed to hold Bradley’s Elijah Childs to just 11 points, going 5-10 from the field and 1-4 from beyond the arc.
KEY STATS
– AJ Green set a career high with 35 points, going 10-21 from the field with 7 made three pointers.
– AJ Green went a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line.
– Tywhon Pickford recorded his first start of the season.
– Tywhon Pickford hauled in a team high 16 rebounds.
– Austin Phyfe recorded 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
– Justin Dahl led the Panthers with 3 assists
UP NEXT
The Panthers, now 12-2, will be back in action on Tuesday, January 7 when they host the Sycamores on Indiana State. The Sycamores are 8-5 this season after falling 76-80 to Drake on Saturday night in Des Moines. Tuesday’s game will tip off at 7 PM and can be viewed on ESPN+.
In case you missed it, the Panthers defeated the Braves 69-64 in the McLeod Center last night!#UNIFight pic.twitter.com/rRMGqH7nQO
— UNI Basketball (@UNImbb) January 5, 2020
