NORMAL, Illinois – The UNI men’s basketball team defeated the Redbirds of Illinois State 94-87 in double overtime on Saturday. The win marked Ben Jacobson’s 300th career victory.
The Panthers jumped out to a 11-2 lead following a 9-0 run to start the half. Illinois State’s DJ Horn added 11 quick points midway through the half, cutting the Panther lead to 7 with under 9 minutes remaining in the half. The Redbirds managed to take the lead 28-26 with 4:51 remaining in the half following a 12-2 run. The Panthers trailed headed into halftime 37-30.
UNI shot 43% (12-28) from the field while the Redbirds made 50% (14-28) from the field. UNI finished the half with 13 points scored off Redbird turnovers and scored 20 points in the paint. Illinois State’s DJ Horn finished with 16 first half points going 6-11 from the field. Tywhon Pickford led the Panthers with 9 first half points while Austin Phyfe grabbed a team high 3 rebounds.
Both teams started slow in the second half but the Panthers managed to go on an 8-0 run midway through the half to get within two at 47-45. Trae Berhow downed a three with 12:17 remaining to retake the lead and push the Panther run to 11-0. Both teams then traded leads but the Redbirds moved out to a 4-point lead with 2:59 remaining. The Panthers and Redbirds fouled down the stretch but it was Austin Phyfe who made the jumper in the final second to tie the game 70-70 to move to a 5-minute overtime.
Both teams scored 11 points in the 5-minute overtime, both going 4-6 from the field. UNI went 2-4 from the free throw line while the Redbirds went 2-2 at the line. The Panthers and Redbirds moved to double overtime, the first double overtime game for the Panthers since the 2016-17 season. UNI went on a 7-0 run late in the period and outscored the Redbirds 13-6 to take the game 94-87.
The Panthers will now set their sights on the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Arch Madness will begin on Thursday, March 4 with the championship game being played on Sunday, March 7.
