GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA — The Northern Iowa men’s basketball team ran into a red-hot Furman offense Saturday, November 7, 2026, as the Panthers surrendered 15 three-pointers and watched the Paladins repeatedly march to the free-throw line in a 98-83 road loss at Timmons Arena.
UNI, playing its first road game under head coach Kyle Green, placed four players in double figures but struggled defensively against a Furman attack that consistently found opportunities from beyond the arc and at the foul line.
The Paladins attempted 44 free throws and knocked down 15 shots from three-point range, creating a difficult combination for Northern Iowa to overcome.
Isaiah Johnson-Arigu led the Panthers with 20 points, including 16 in the second half, while Carson Vis contributed 17 points.
Greyson Uelmen delivered a strong all-around performance with 15 points, a game-high eight rebounds and four assists. Tate McCubbin added 11 points and four rebounds.
Despite the disappointing result, Northern Iowa produced some encouraging offensive numbers, shooting 42% from the field and outscoring Furman by a substantial 38-20 margin in the paint.
The Panthers also enjoyed a 28-18 advantage in bench scoring, but those strengths were not enough to offset Furman’s perimeter shooting and frequent trips to the free-throw line.
Northern Iowa initially appeared capable of matching the Paladins.
The teams were tied 9-9 through the opening four minutes before Furman seized control with a 13-1 scoring run.
That surge put the Panthers on their heels and forced UNI to spend much of the first half attempting to close the gap.
Northern Iowa’s offensive rhythm suffered as the Panthers connected on just 36% of their field-goal attempts during the opening period.
Foul trouble compounded those struggles.
Furman earned 20 free-throw attempts before halftime, repeatedly disrupting UNI’s efforts to establish defensive momentum.
McCubbin provided a bright spot for the Panthers, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc in the opening half.
Vis contributed eight first-half points, while Uelmen worked aggressively on the glass, collecting six rebounds before the break.
Nevertheless, Furman maintained control and carried a 44-31 advantage into halftime.
The Paladins continued their perimeter assault after intermission, repeatedly finding open looks and extending their advantage.
At one point during the second half, Furman built a commanding 21-point lead, putting Northern Iowa in a position where it needed both a substantial offensive surge and multiple defensive stops to mount a comeback.
The Panthers responded with a stronger second-half offensive effort, particularly near the basket.
Johnson-Arigu became UNI’s primary scoring option, producing 16 points after halftime on 4-of-8 shooting while converting seven free throws.
His aggressive play helped the Panthers dominate the interior during the final 20 minutes.
Northern Iowa outscored Furman 26-10 in the paint during the second half, demonstrating an ability to attack the basket even as the Paladins continued finding success from long distance.
Uelmen also contributed 10 second-half points, while Vis added nine.
The improved offensive production helped Northern Iowa maintain pressure, but Furman’s efficient shooting and established lead proved too much to overcome.
The Paladins ultimately secured the 15-point victory, handing UNI a setback early in its 2026-27 campaign.
Johnson-Arigu’s 20-point performance marked the third time in his collegiate career that he has reached that scoring threshold.
His previous two 20-point outings came last season at St. Thomas, including a career-high 25-point performance against South Dakota on January 6, 2026.
Uelmen’s performance was another positive development for the Panthers.
Along with his 15 points, he led all players with eight rebounds and distributed four assists, contributing in several important areas despite the loss.
Ian Smikle added seven rebounds for Northern Iowa, helping the Panthers remain competitive on the glass.
The contest also highlighted a statistical contrast that illustrated how Furman controlled the outcome.
Although Northern Iowa enjoyed clear advantages in points in the paint and bench scoring, the Paladins’ 15 made three-pointers and 44 free-throw attempts provided scoring opportunities the Panthers could not consistently match.
Northern Iowa’s inability to limit those opportunities became the defining factor in the road defeat.
The loss dropped UNI to 1-2 all-time against Furman.
For Green and the Panthers, the game offered an early lesson in the importance of perimeter defense and avoiding fouls against an opponent capable of capitalizing on both.
Northern Iowa will have an opportunity to regroup quickly as it returns to the McLeod Center for its next contest.
The Panthers will host the Green Bay Phoenix on Tuesday, November 10, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. in Cedar Falls.
The game will be available on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network, including 106.5 Corn Country and the Varsity Network app.
Additional Northern Iowa basketball information, schedules and team updates are available through UNI Athletics.