Johnson's second 20-20 game helps Missouri St. beat N. Iowa
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Alize Johnson had 24 points and 20 rebounds and J.T. Miller scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting to help Missouri State beat Northern Iowa 62-55 on Thursday night.
Johnson has two of the nation's five games this season with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. It was his fourth consecutive double-double and his 10th of the season.
Miller scored seven points, including two conventional 3-point plays, during a 15-2 run that gave Missouri State (13-3, 3-0 Missouri Valley Conference) a 12-point lead late in the first half. The Bears took a 31-22 lead into the break and Northern Iowa trailed the rest of the way.
Miller made a layup and Johnson hit two free throws to give Missouri State a 19-point lead with six minutes to go, but the Bears missed 7 of 8 from the field and committed three turnovers from there. Northern Iowa (8-7, 0-3) made six consecutive field-goal attempts during a 17-2 run that cut its deficit to 57-53 when Klint Carlson hit a 3-pointer with 29 seconds remaining, but Missouri State made 5-of-6 free throws thereon to seal it.
Tywhon Pickford had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Carlson added 16 and nine, for Northern Iowa. It was the third double-double for Pickford, a 6-foot-4 freshman guard, who came in averaging 8.9 rebounds per game.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Zelton Steed
- Antinio Petty
- Gary Maxwell
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |