CEDAR FALLS – The Panthers overcame a seven-point halftime deficit at home on Tuesday night, rallying with a strong second half performance to defeat Jackson State 66-56 at the McLeod Center.
UNI improves to 3-5 overall on the season and 0-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Tigers fall to 2-8 overall. The Panthers also improved to 8-0 all-time against Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponents.
Jackson State jumped out to a quick 11-2 lead on a trio of three-point baskets in the opening minutes. The Panthers cut into the JSU lead, tying the game on a pair of Trae Berhow free throws at 21 all. The Tigers would score the final seven points of the first half as UNI entered the halftime break trailing 32-25.
UNI’s offense turned the tables in the second half as AJ Green hit three consecutive three-point baskets to give the Panthers their first lead of the night out of the gate. UNI shot 52.2% from the field in the final 20 minutes, using a 12-2 scoring run to grab onto momentum and carry the lead to the final horn. The Panthers committed a season-low five personal fouls, while drawing contact to earn 18 points at the free throw line.
Green led the way with 24 points with five made three-pointers in the win, while Nate Heise notched his first career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Noah Carter posted 11 points for the Panthers, as Trae Berhow scored nine points, and Tywhon Pickford posted eight points.
PANTHER NOTES
AJ Green moved into third all-time in program history with his 202nd career three-pointer. Green is one three-pointer from moving into second position for most three-point field goals in school history.
Trae Berhow is four points from joining UNI’s 1,000-point club after a nine-point game on Tuesday night.
AJ Green moved into 11th in team history in scoring with 1,325 points. Green is five points from moving into UNI’s top ten scoring list in all-time.
Nate Heise’s 11 rebounds against the Tigers set a new career-high. Heise also recorded season-highs in assists (3) and steals (2).
Noah Carter tied his career-best with four assists against Jackson State.
