University of Northern Iowa
*Drake
Panther Fall To The Bulldogs, 81-72
1/29/2005 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 29, 2005
Senior guard Lonnie Randolph scored 30 points to lead Drake to an 81-72 win over the University of Northern Iowa Saturday night at the Knapp Center.
Randolph scored 21 of his points at the free throw line, hitting 22-of-24 for the night on charity tosses. The Bulldogs connected on 34-of-39 from the line for the night, including a perfect 16-for-16 in the game's final two minutes when UNI attempted to get back in the game. Randolph was responsible for 14 of those free throws.
UNI held a 20-14 lead with 8:45 left in the first half, but made just one field goal the rest of the way to intermission. That helped Drake go on an 18-5 run to build a 32-25 lead at halftime.
Drake extended its lead in the opening moments of the second half, by pounding the ball inside, scoring on a layup by Aliou Keita and a pair of baskets by David Bancroft. The Bulldogs led by as many as 17 on numerous occasions, and still led by 15 with 6:48 left in the game (56-41).
UNI then made a furious run at the Bulldogs, connecting on seven threes in the final 6 minutes of the game. The Panthers pulled to within six on several occasions but could get no closer, as Drake was perfect from the free throw line.
Drake hit on 48.9 percent of its shots for the night (22-of-45), while UNI managed just 39.1 percent shooting (25-for-64). The Panthers hit 12 three-pointers on the night, with Crawford tying his career high with five. Drake outrebounded UNI, 39-27.
With the loss, UNI falls to 14-7 overall, 5-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while Drake improves to 7-11, 3-7 in the MVC. UNI's next game is this Wednesday (Feb. 2), when Evansville comes to the UNI-Dome. Tipoff time is set for 7:05 p.m.
