CEDAR FALLS – The UNI men’s basketball team led from start to finish on Thursday night as the Panthers defeated Milwaukee by a score of 87-68 inside the McLeod Center in non-conference action.
In an early season battle between a pair of contending mid-major programs, all five Panthers starters scored in double-digit figures as Northern Iowa shot an astonishing 60.4% from the field and 50% from the three-point arc. The Panthers also dished out 21 assists to Milwaukee’s five and smothered its opponents on defense with seven total blocks.
Northern Iowa came out of gate hot with seven early points from RJ Taylor in a half where the Panthers shot 65.4% from the field, including 53.8% from three-point range with seven made baskets from beyond the arc. UNI dished out 12 first half assists while Milwaukee recorded only three assists with eight turnovers. The UNI defense also put on a strong early showing with five blocks in the first half, including a pair from Trey Campbell, who heated up late with three baskets from long range for an 11-point half. Despite Milwaukee’s shooting improving in the closing minutes, Northern Iowa’s defense helped carry the Panthers to a 45-34 halftime lead.
Out of the break, UNI’s offense continued to roll from both mid-range and beyond the three-point line. Tytan Anderson shot four-of-six with three made triples in the final 20 minutes, while Leon Bond III scored seven second half points as the Panthers turned defensive stops into scoring opportunities. Northern Iowa continued to shoot over 50% in the second period and converted on ten-of-13 free throw attempts, stretching its lead to as many as 25 points en route to a 19-point victory.
Anderson finished the night with a game-high 19 points with a career-best four made three-point shots and four assists game-high four assists. Campbell tallied 16 points on 60% shooting with seven rebounds and a pair of blocks, while Jacob Hutson posted a 15-point performance with a team-high eight boards and three blocked shots. Both Taylor and Bond scored 11 points, as Will Hornseth scored eight points off the bench and Ben Schwieger adding five points in a reserve role.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
UNI improves to 6-4 all-time against Milwaukee in their first win over their opponent from Wisconsin since Dec. 1, 2012.
Northern Iowa is now 87-12 (.878) when scoring 80+ points in a game under head coach Ben Jacobson (since 2006-07).
Thursday’s matchup pitted a pair of CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major top-25 squads against each other. UNI entered the game ranked seventh in the poll, while Milwaukee was ranked 18th.
UNI’s 60.4% shooting clip on Thursday was its highest against a non-conference opponent since shooting 60.9% in a win over Luther on Dec. 12, 2019.
Tytan Anderson surpassed 900 career points on Tuesday night, jumping ahead of Mike Kemp (1975-79) and Jim Jackson (1958-60) to 59th on the program’s all-time scoring list with 905 points.
Trey Campbell also moved up on UNI’s all-time scoring list with his 553rd career point, moving into a tie with Mark Welsh (1974-76) and passing Brian Heying (1994-98) for 109th.
UP NEXT
UNI returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 10 as it hosts the UC Irvine Anteaters. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT inside the McLeod Center with live coverage available on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network.