CEDAR FALLS – The UNI men’s basketball team defeated the Indiana State Sycamores 70-67 on Sunday afternoon. UNI now moves to 6-12 on the season and 4-8 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
The Sycamores controlled the opening 10 minutes of the first half, leading by as many as 6 points before the Panthers closed the gap. The Sycamores went on a late run, pushing their lead to 10 with just under 4 minutes remaining in the half. The Panthers responded with clutch plays in the final minutes to enter the break trailing 35-31.
Noah Carter and Austin Phyfe led the first half scoring effort, Carter finished with 13 points going 5-8 from the field while Phyfe finished with 10 first half points. Carter also hauled in a team high 5 rebounds.
The Sycamores moved out to a 13 point lead in the second half but a late push by the Panthers moved UNI to within 3 points with under 5minutes to play. Nate Hiese made his way to the charity stripe and cut the Sycamore lead to 1 before Trae Berhow downed a three to give the Panthers their first lead of the half with 1:54 remaining in the game. The Panthers were able to make key free throws in the final seconds to secure the teams’ fourth Valley win of the season.
The Panthers were led by sophomore Noah Carter who finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
THE PANTHERS
-Noah Carter led the way with 25 points and 13 rebounds.
-Austin Phyfe finished the game with 17 points and 8 rebounds.
-UNI shot 44.9% (22-49) from the field.
-UNI went 15-20 from the charity stripe.
-Panthers scored 22 points in the paint.
-Panthers led the game for just 5:38.
THE SYCAMORES
-Tyreke Key led the Sycamores with 18 points and 5 rebounds.
-Julian Larry and Jake LaRavia each scored 14 points.
-LaRavia hauled in a team high 10 rebounds.
-The Sycamores led the game for 33:14.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will travel to Des Moines on Wednesday for a midweek game against in-state rival Drake. The game is scheduled for a 6 pm start with a CBS Sports Network broadcast.
