| 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNI | 37 | 38 | 75 |
| ILST | 26 | 53 | 79 |
Illinois State stages comeback to top Northern Iowa, 79-75
NORMAL, Ill. -- Malik Yarbrough converted five straight free throws in the final minute to allow Illinois State to hold off a late rally by Northern Iowa, 79-75 in a Missouri Valley Conference clash on Saturday night.
Illinois State entered the game tied with Drake for the No. 3 seed into the conference tournament. The Bulldogs face Missouri State Sunday afternoon. Northern Iowa is in ninth place, a game behind Indiana State.
The Panthers took an 11-point lead into intermission, but the Redbirds hit five consecutive 3-pointers to open the second half and Yarbrough tied the game on a layup with 14:34 left. Isaac Gassman drilled a 3 with 11:50 to go to put Illinois State up for good, 51-49.
Yarbrough finished with 25 points, six boards, nine assists and three steals. Illinois State (15-13, 9-7) knocked down 15 of 27 shots from behind the 3-point arc. William Tinsley was 6 of 9 from deep and finished with 18 points.
Klint Carlson scored 20 points and grabbed nine boards to lead Northern Iowa (13-15, 5-11). Spencer Haldeman added 16 and Tywhon Pkckford added 14 points and eight rebounds.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Randy Heimerman
- Jeff Malham
- Roland Simmons
2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley | 8-1 | - | 17-3 |
| Drake | 7-2 | 1 | 17-2 |
| Belmont | 6-3 | 2 | 14-6 |
| UIC | 6-3 | 2 | 13-6 |
| Northern Iowa | 6-3 | 2 | 12-8 |
| Murray State | 5-4 | 3 | 11-9 |
| Illinois State | 4-5 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Valparaiso | 3-6 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Indiana State | 3-6 | 5 | 9-11 |
| Southern Illinois | 3-6 | 5 | 8-12 |
| Evansville | 3-6 | 5 | 6-14 |
| Missouri State | 0-9 | 8 | 7-13 |
Men's College Basketball News