Southern Illinois holds off Northern Iowa 56-53 in MVC
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Marcus Bartley hit back-to-back a 3-pointers as Southern Illinois fought into the lead early in the second quarter, and Armon Fletcher hit a big 3 inside the final minute as the Salukis had just enough to hold off Northern Iowa 56-53 in the opener of Missouri Valley Conference play Thursday night.
Kavion Pippen led with 14 points, Bartley added 12 and Fletcher eight for Southern Illinois (9-5), which won for the first time in 12 games at Northern Iowa's McLeod Center and the first win at UNI since 2003.
Trailing 25-22 at halftime, Bartley wrapped two of his four 3-pointers around a Northern Iowa turnover as the Salukis scrapped into a 39-35 lead with 9:38 to play. Southern Illinois never trailed again, but didn't get any daylight on the Panthers until Fletcher's 3 made it 55-48 with 58 seconds left.
The lead was just enough as SIU missed five of six free throws in the last 40 seconds.
Tywhon Pickford led UNI (8-5) with 13 points. Northern Iowa had played the nation's second-toughest nonconference schedule.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Mike Stuart
- Gerry Pollard
- Gene Grimshaw
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 |