UNI Rallies, Beats Iowa State in Ames

Courtesy: UNI Sports Info.

Photo by Charlie Neibergall, AP

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By John Sears

Story Created: Dec 3, 2009 at 3:46 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 3, 2009 at 3:56 PM CST

AMES, Iowa –The University of Northern Iowa’s Adam Koch and Jordan Eglseder combined for 40 points to lead the Panthers to 63-60 victory over intra-state rival Iowa State Wednesday evening in Ames, Iowa.

Eglseder and Koch each scored 20 points for the Panthers, with Eglseder pulling down a team-high 14 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Kwadzo Ahelegbe also scored in double-figures for the Panthers scoring 10 points, including a pair of crucial free throws in the closing seconds.

Iowa State jumped out to a 17-10 lead early in the first half off baskets from Marquis Gilstrap and Chris Colvin. Back-to-back baskets by Eglseder and Johnny Moran pulled the Panthers within three at 17-14, but a conventional three-point play by Brackins gave the Cyclones a 20-14 advantage with just over eight minutes to play in the half.

Trailing 23-16 Koch rattled off three straight baskets to pull the Panthers within 25-22. Both teams traded baskets in the following possessions, including treys from ISU’s Lucca Staiger and Ali Farokhmanesh.

The Panthers turned back-to-back turnovers by the Cyclones into baskets to cut the ISU lead to 34-31, but Diante Garrett scored with a second left to give Iowa State the 36-31 lead heading into the halftime break.

Eglseder scored two early baskets to start the second half and pull the Panthers within 38-35. Ahelegbe was then fouled on the ensuing Panther possession and drained both free throws to pull UNI within one at 38-37. Koch then drained a three from the top of the key to give UNI their first lead since the 16-minute mark of the first half.

ISU regained the lead off back-to-back treys with just over 12 minutes to play in the contest. ISU maintained a slim lead in the following minutes before Eglseder scored back-to-back baskets in the paint to give UNI a one-point lead with just under four minutes remaining.

ISU then took a one point lead with three minutes remaining when Craig Brackins sunk a pair of free throws. The Panthers held Brackins to just two points in the second half, with 11 of his 13 points coming in the first half.

Farokhmanesh gave the Panthers the lead for good with 36 seconds remaining when he drained a three from the corner.

ISU’s Garrett sunk one of two free throws with 15.6 seconds left to slim the Panther lead to one at 61-60. Ahelegbe drained two free throws to put the Panthers up by three with just under ten seconds remaining.

ISU had one last chance to score with two seconds remaining, but Brackins' three-point attempt fell well short of the basket.

UNI enjoyed a significant advantage in the paint, outscoring the Cyclones 26-18. UNI also turned 14 Iowa State turnovers into 14 points.

UNI (5-1) returns to the McLeod Center Dec. 8 to further their attempt at capturing the mythical state title, hosting Iowa. Tipoff is set for 7:05.

Next Article Iowa State to face Rutgers in Pinstripe Bowl

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