University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Wyoming
Eglseder Scores 31, But Wyoming Tops UNI, 74-65
12/13/2008 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 13, 2008
Casper, Wyo. - University of Northern Iowa center Jordan Eglseder scored.a career-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but Wyoming was able to earn a 74-65 win in the BlueCross BlueShield of Wyoming Shootout, held at the Casper Events Center.
Eglseder connected on 13-of-22 shots from the field, and also blocked three shots, while playing a career-high 31 minutes. Eglseder's 31 points were the most by a UNI player since Adam Koch had nine points, while Kerwin Dunham added seven off the bench. Brandon Ewing led Wyoming with 22 points.
Eglseder scored the first two baskets of the game to put UNI up 4-0 to start the contest. Senior guard Travis Brown hit a three-pointer to push the Panthers' lead to 12-7 with 14:01 left in the first half, but Wyoming scored six straight to move in front 13-12. Eglseder had his first three-pointer of the season as part of a 7-0 UNI run that saw the Panthers move back in front, 19-13, at the 10 minute mark.
An Adam Waddell layup culminated a 10-4 Cowboys' spurt, pulling them even at 23-all with just over five minutes left in the opening half. Dunham then drained a three from the corner to push UNI back in front, 26-23. After Wyoming got within two, 28-26, UNI got a short jumper and a free throw from Eglseder, along with a layup from Kwadzo Ahelegbe, to open its largest lead, 33-26, with 2:18 left before the break. But Wyoming made three three-pointers in the final two minutes of the half, including a buzzer-beater from Ewing, to take a 35-33 lead into the locker room.
Wyoming extended to a four-point lead, 41-37, early in the second half, but the Panthers got even at 43-all after Koch nailed a short jumper. Dunham hit a pair of free throws to put UNI in front, 45-43, but Wyoming scored four straight to pull ahead, 47-45, with 12:47 left in the game.
Ali Farokhmanesh hit a three to put UNI in front, 48-47, and UNI held a 53-49 advantage with just under 10 minutes left. Wyoming took the lead back, 57-55, after Sean Ogirri drained a three pointer with 7:38 on the clock, but UNI fought back yet again. The Panthers were able to move back in front, 61-60, after Koch got free in transition for a layup, with just over three minutes left in the game.
Wyoming's Tyson Johnson hit a pair of free throws to give the Cowboys the lead back, 62-61. After a UNI turnover, Ewing was fouled and drained both charity tosses to extend Wyoming's advantage to 64-61 with 2:39 left. Ahelegbe then missed a jumper from the right elbow on UNI's next possession, and once again, Ewing was fouled. He made both shots with 1:34 left to make the score 66-61 with 1:34 on the clock. Farokhmanesh got free in the left corner for a three-pointer the next time down, but he was unable to connect, and the Cowboys were able to seal the game at the free throw line. In all, Wyoming drained all 12 of its free throws in the final three minutes to post the 74-65 win.
Wyoming improved to 7-1 on the season, while UNI fell to 5-5. The Panthers take next week off for finals, and are back in action on Sun., Dec. 21, when South Dakota State comes to the McLeod Center. Tipoff is set for 1:05 pm.
