University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Washington
No. 17 Washington Rallies Late to Top UNI in Finale of Basketball Travelers Classic
11/15/2006 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2006
Seattle, Wash. - Grant Stout (New Sharon, Iowa) had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Eric Coleman (Maplewood, Minn.) had 16 points and nine boards, but it was not enough as 17th-ranked University of Washington posted a 70-61 win over the University of Northern Iowa in the championship game of the Basketball Travelers Classic.
The duo of Coleman and Stout combined for 25 of UNI's 53 shot attempts, connecting on 14 of them. Those two also teamed up for five assists and three steals. Jordan Elgseder (Bellevue, Iowa) had seven points off the bench, while Adam Viet (Ackley, Iowa) and Travis Brown (Richfield, Minn.) each had six.
The game was tight throughout, and the Panthers held the lead for much of the game. A three-pointer from Stout gave UNI a 52-48 lead with 6:08 remaining, but the Panthers then went more three minutes without scoring, as Washington went on an 8-0 run. Washington took the lead for good, 53-52, with 4:09 left on a free throw by Jon Brockman. Washington then extended the lead to 56-52, as Ryan Appleby hit a 25 foot three pointer from beyond the top of the key as the shot clock expired.
UNI pulled to within 58-56 after a Coleman layup with 2:40 left, but that was as close as the Panthers would get. The Huskies connected on all ten of their free throws in the final two minutes to claim the win.
UNI made 45 percent of its field goals for the game, but was just 3-for-16 on three-pointers. Washington made 42 percent of its shots and was 4-for-14 from behind the arc. The Huskies also claimed a 35-28 edge in rebounding, with 15 of their boards being on the offensive end.
UNI held the lead for most of the first half, and by as many as eight points on several occasions. The Panthers held a 25-17 edge with 5:09 left, before Appleby hit a three and a turnaround in the lane to pull Washington within 25-22. Coleman and Stout answered with back to back baskets to put UNI up 29-22, and UNI took a 31-28 lead into the locker room. The Panthers went inside often in the opening 20 minutes, as Stout, Coleman and Eglseder combined for 25 of the Panthers 31 points.
Senior point guard Brooks McKowen (Fairbank, Iowa) had a season-high nine assists for the Panthers. Washington guard Justin Dentmon tied Stout for game high scoring honors, also tallying 17 points. Spencer Hawes added 16 for the Huskies, while Appleby had 14, including three three-pointers.
With the win, Washington improves to 3-0 on the season, while UNI falls to 2-1. The Panthers next game is this Sunday (Nov. 19) when they host UW-Milwaukee in the inaugural men's basketball game at their new on-campus arena, the McLeod Center. Tipoff is 4:05 p.m.
