Happy Homecoming for Jake

Photo by Tom Gannam, AP

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By S Saville

Story Created: Dec 19, 2009 at 4:56 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 19, 2009 at 6:40 PM CST

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - The University of Northern Iowa knocked down 14 3-pointers and tallied a 64-41 road victory over the North Dakota Fighting Sioux on Saturday.
The Panthers' 3-point effort was led by freshman Marc Sonnen, who dropped in seven triples to score a career-high 21 points.
The Panthers jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the Sioux behind a three-pointer by Ali Farokhmanesh, a pair of free throws from Adam Koch and a putback by Jordan Eglseder. However, the Sioux responded with a pair of three-pointers by Travis Bledsoe and Derek Benter to narrow the lead to one, 7-6.
The Sioux eventually took their only lead of the game at 11-10 on a triple by Patrick Mitchell with 13:07 to play in the first half.
UNI would respond with Sonnen's first three of the game that led to a 10-2 run and gave the Panthers a 21-13 lead with nine minutes to play in the half.
The Panther defense was stifling in the latter part of the first half as UND was unable to score a field in the final 7:10. UND's only points in the final 7:10 of the half came on two free throws from Travis Mertens with 13 seconds left in the half. UNI finished the half on a 13-2 run that included three more triples from Sonnen.
Sonnen finished the first half with 12 points that helped the Panthers earn a 34-20 advantage at the intermission. The Panthers drained seven three-pointers in the first 20 minutes.
The Panthers' three-point assault continued in the second half as they drained seven more from long range. Kwadzo Ahelegbe made the first three-pointer of the second half and Kerwin Dunham soon followed at the 14:20 mark. Sonnen's first triple of the second half gave UNI a 48-29 lead with 12:32 to play.
Sonnen would knock down two more from long range and closed with a career-high 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting from deep.
Farokhmanesh was the only other Panther to reach double figures as he shot 3-of-5 from the floor and drained two free throws for 11 points. Ahelegbe capped a busy day with a team-high seven rebounds, five points and five assists.
UNI improved to 8-1 on the season and has now won seven straight contests. North Dakota dropped to 1-11 on the year.
The Panthers return home to take on the Wyoming Cowboys on Wed., Dec. 23, at 7:07 p.m. in the McLeod Center

Next Article Iowa State to face Rutgers in Pinstripe Bowl

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