UNI Snaps Three-Game Skid With Win at Evansville

Saturday, February 3

Evansville, Ind.

7:05 PM

University of Northern Iowa

*Evansville

UNI Snaps Three-Game Skid With Win at Evansville

2/3/2007 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

By: UNI Athletics Communications

Feb. 3, 2007

Final Stats

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- All five starters scored in double figures to power the University of Northern Iowa to a 79-71 win over Evansville Saturday night at Roberts Stadium. The Panthers, who snapped a season-long three-game losing streak, were led by junior center Eric Coleman (Maplewood, Minn.), who posted his 12^th double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Jared Josten (Webster City, Iowa) and Travis Brown (Richfield, Minn.) each scored 15 points, with Josten's total being a career high. Grant Stout (New Sharon, Iowa) and Brooks McKowen (Fairbank, Iowa) chipped in with 11 points each. It was the second time this season UNI had all five starters score in double digits, with the other game being in a 75-65 win Jan. 18 at Missouri State.

Coleman, who entered the game shooting 58 percent from the free throw line, made just 2-of-5 field goals but was a career-high 12-for-16 on foul shots. As a team, the Panthers made a season-high 34-of-41 free throws, including 31-of-37 in the second half.

The Panthers scored the game's first 11 points, with the final three coming on a Brown three-pointer from the top of the key. Matt Webster capped a 10-4 Evansville run with a three of his own, pulling the Aces within 15-10, before Jordan Eglseder (Bellevue, Iowa) and Coleman scored back-to-back baskets to put the Panthers back up 19-10. UNI led 29-21 at intermission, as it shot 53 percent in the first half, including 4-of-6 on three-pointers.

Evansville's Jason Holsinger hit two long three-pointers in the opening moments of the second half to pull UE within four, 31-27. But Holsinger picked up his fourth foul with 17:24 left in the game and went to the bench, and UNI pushed its lead back to 42-32, with 14:45 remaining.

The Purple Aces then got as close as they would the whole game, going on a 12-4 run to pull within two, 46-44, after a Webster layup with 9:11 left. But Brown answered for the Panthers with a three-pointer to put UNI up 49-44. The Panthers were able to maintain at least a two-possession lead until the final minute, when the Aces made one final push. Aided by two long Holsinger treys, UE got as close as five twice. But Kyle Anslinger and Art Stalbergs each missed three-pointers that would have pulled Evansville within two, and the Panthers hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the 79-71 win,

UNI improved to 16-7 overall, 7-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while Evansville fell to 12-12, 5-8 in conference. The Panthers remain on the road, heading to Terre Haute, Ind., to face Indiana State on Monday night (Feb. 5). Tipoff from the Hulman Center is set for 7:05 p.m. (EST).