Getting Georges Niang into an isolation look at the top of the key with Iowa State down one had everyone on his bench feeling comfortable.
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Northern Iowa lit it up from outside, connecting on 13 of the team’s 22 3-point attempts (59 percent) and shooting 57 percent from the field for the game.
So far this season, the Panthers are hitting 49.7 percent (18th) overall and 40.6 percent (24th) from behind the arc. Washpun and the Panthers simply couldn’t miss in the first 15 minutes. The Panthers average 9.3 three-pointers per game and has an assist/turnover ratio of 1.27.
Could another upset be in the offing?
Register sports writers Andrew Logue, Chad Leistikow and Tommy Birch preview the matchups of the Big Four Classic between Iowa vs. Drake and Iowa State vs. UNI. 38 points (25 in the first half), six rebounds and nine assists.
Northern Iowa jumped to a 46-37 halftime lead and managed to hold off the Cyclones’ comeback bid.
Georges Niang poured in 30 points for the Cyclones, but a turnover with 11 seconds left in the game proved costly.
Northern Iowa picked up its second win against a Top 5 team by shooting its way past No. 5 Iowa State 81-79 on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
Washpun hit a free throw and Monte Morris – whose basket capped a 20-point rally to beat Iowa 83-82 last week – missed a floater at the buzzer.
Northern Iowa kept its comfortable lead for a while, but Iowa State pulled even at 66 on Jameel McKay’s dunk with 7:20 left.
“It wasn’t acceptable. We were basically giving some guys things, but that’s something we’re working on and looking to adjust”, Niang said.
“I was surprised he was that open, ” said McKay, who had 18 points for the Cyclones. Iowa State has great talent but I think the loss of Mitrou-Long is going to be more damaging than expected and I think Northern Iowa will be able to keep this one within the number.
Iowa State: The Cyclones had only four assists on 16 baskets in the first half…. Deonte Burton scored seven points in his Cyclones debut.
Morris had one of his worst games in recent memory – though it was still a decent outing. He finished the game with seven rebounds, also adding in two steals.
Northern Iowa plays at Hawaii on Wednesday.
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“Unfortunate”, said Iowa State coach Steve Prohm.
