University of Northern Iowa
*Southwest Missouri State
UNI Defeats SMS, 68-63
1/12/2005 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2005
Cedar Falls, Iowa - Junior guard Erik Crawford (Oakdale, Minn.) scored a game-high 19 points, including hitting four crucial late free throws, to lead the University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team to a 68-63 win over Southwest Missouri State tonight at the UNI-Dome.
Crawford was 8-of-9 from the line on the night, including 4-of-4 in the game's final 30 seconds. His final two charity tosses gave UNI a 66-63 lead with 10 seconds to play, and SMS's Deke Thompson followed with a three-pointer that missed. The Panthers' Ben Jacobson (Sioux City, Iowa) grabbed the rebound and hit two free throws to seal the win.
The Panthers (12-3, 3-1 Missouri Valley Conference) posted their ninth win in their last 10 games, and sent SMS (7-6, 1-4 MVC) to its fifth loss in its last six games. UNI has also won 11 straight home games and is a perfect 7-0 at the UNI-Dome this season.
UNI held a 27-26 lead at halftime lead, and the game remained tight until the mid-point of the second half. Fueled by an 11-2 run, the Panthers opened up a 48-33 edge with just over 10 minutes to play.
SMS pulled to within six on several occasions down the stretch, but still trailed 61-53 with just over a minute left. SMS scored 10 points in the game's 60 seconds - including a pair of three-pointers -- but the Panthers were 9-of-11 from the line during that period to seal the victory.
Jacobson had 18 points for UNI, while Foster had a season-high 13 points off the bench. Crawford led UNI with seven rebounds. Tyler Chaney led SMS with 12 points.
UNI's next game is this Saturday night (Jan. 15), when Creighton comes to the UNI-Dome. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m.
