CEDAR FALLS – The UNI men’s basketball team secured a share of the MVC Regular Season Title after defeating the Purple Aces of Evansville 84-64 Wednesday night in the McLeod Center. The Panthers went 16-0 this season in the McLeod Center, the third undefeated home season under Head Coach Ben Jacobson. The Panthers have moved to 24-5 overall and 13-4 in the MVC.
The Panthers and the Purple Aces battled back in forth for the first 20 minutes, but the Panthers went on a 7-0 run with nine minutes left to help propel them to a 46-33 lead at halftime. The Panthers converting on 64% of their field goal attempts while holding the Aces to 56.5% from the field.
Trae Berhow led all scorers in the first half with 12 points, shooting 5-7 from the field and 2-2 behind the three-point line. AJ Green recorded 8 first-half points while Isaiah Brown added 7 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. Austin Phyfe added 6 points and grabbed 1 rebound. Freshman Noah Carter got some valuable playing time after Phyfe landed in some early foul trouble. Carter went 2-3 from the field and 1-2 from behind the arc to add 6 points for the Panthers, while grabbing 1 rebound.
The Panthers continued their dominant shooting in the second half going 16-26 from the field and 4-10 from behind the arc. The Panthers largest lead of the game was 23 points with 1:12 remaining in the second half. Sophomore AJ Green led all scorers with 21 points, going 8-13 from the field, 1-4 from three-point, and 4-5 from the free-throw line.
Trae Berhow had the most proficient game of his career with 16 points while grabbing 7 rebounds, and adding 1 assist. Isaiah Brown added five second-half points, ending the game with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and three assists. Austin Phyfe finished with 10 points and 3 rebounds. Noah Carter stepped up into a big role, adding 11 total points, 2 rebounds,2 steals, 1 assist, and 1 block. Spencer Haldeman finished the night with 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. Tywhon Pickford added 4 points while Lincoln Conrey added 3 points when he hit a three-pointer with 1:29 left in the game.
The Panthers are in the first spot for conference play, with one game left to play at Drake. They will be a one seed at the Arch Madness tournament.
The Panthers secured a share of the MVC Regular Season Title.
The team has now locked in the #1 seed in the MVC Tournament.
This is the Panther’s third undefeated season at home under Coach Jacobson.
AJ Green led all scorers with 21 points.
Trae Berhow finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds
UNI is one of 3 institutions that currently went undefeated in Men’s Basketball and Football. Oregon and Florida A&M are the other two.
The Panthers will travel to Des Moines to play the Drake Bulldogs for their last conference game before tournament play on Saturday, February 29. The Bulldogs are 18-12 overall and 8-9 in the MVC. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
nobody cares!