SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI – Bowen Born joined UNI’s 1,000 career point club and helped ice the game away in the final minute as UNI snapped its 6-game skid on Saturday in a 69-66 win against the Missouri State Bears at Great Southern Bank Arena.
Head coach Ben Jacobson also continued his chase of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) history with his 183rd win against a league opponent, passing former Creighton coach Dana Altman for 2nd all-time in the 116-year history of the conference.
The Panthers found an early offensive rhythm with excellent ball movement and an attack inside the paint, shooting 51.9% from the field in the opening 20 minutes of play. Missouri State’s depth on its bench and ability to score on second chance opportunities allowed the Bears to take control and lead for most of the game. Despite a hard perimeter defense, UNI gave up 5 three-point baskets to Missouri State and was outrebounded 17-13 in the opening stanza as the Panther trailed 38-33 heading into the halftime break.
Michael Duax got the Panthers off to a strong start with 4 points to open the second half as UNI gradually chipped away at Missouri State’s 7-point lead throughout the period. The Panther defense held the Bears to 31% shooting in the final 20 minutes, and improved in the rebounding battle. Born would tie the game and give UNI its first lead of the game after being fouled on a made layup and free throw at 65-64. Born and James Betz would knock down 4 additional free throws as the Panther defense stifled the Bears’ final attack, allowing UNI to hold on for the 3-point win.
Born finished the day with 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting with 3 made triples, as well as 3 assists. Duax notched 17 points with 3 rebounds and a pair of steals in the Panther win, while Tytan Anderson recorded a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double. Trey Campbell scored 8 points with a pair of three-point baskets, while Cole Henry and Betz tallied 4 points each.
PANTHER NOTES
UNI trails the all-time series against the Bears 40-46. The Panthers have now won 4 straight games on the road at Missouri State.
Missouri State’s bench dominated the game by outscoring UNI 25-7 on Saturday.
Head coach Ben Jacobson is now just 5 conference wins from passing Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) as the MVC’s winningest coach in league only games.
Bowen Born is the 45th member of UNI’s 1,000 career point club, the first to crack the milestone since Trae Berhow in December 2021.
Tytan Anderson’s double-double against the Bears is his 11th of this season, leading the MVC and ranking in the top-30 in the nation.
UP NEXT
UNI will hit the road again on Wednesday night as the Panthers play their final road game of the regular season at Southern Illinois. Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at the Banterra Center, with the game being broadcast on ESPN+ and on the Panther Sports Radio Network.
