University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Bradley
Panthers Top Bradley, 66-61, For Seventh Straight Win
1/21/2009 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2009
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Cedar Falls, Iowa - Ali Farokhmanesh scored 17 points to lead the University of Northern Iowa to a come-from-behind 66-61 win over Bradley tonight at the McLeod Center.
Farokhmanesh hit 6-of-10 shots from the field, including 4-of-8 from three-point range for the game. He was joined in double-figures by Kwadzo Ahelegbe (13 points), Adam Koch 11). Lucas O'Rear came off the bench to score six points, dish out three assists and grab a career-high 11 rebounds.
The win was UNI's seventh straight, and improve the Panthers to 13-6 overall, while remaining in first place in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 7-1 league mark. Bradley dropped its second straight game and fell to 11-8 overall, 5-3 in the Valley. UNI's seven-game winning streak is the team's longest since the 2005-06 season.
UNI was cold from the field to start the game, as it missed its first seven shots. Bradley took advantage and opened a 10-0 lead, before Ahelegbe made a layup with 13:16 on the clock to get the Panthers on the board. With Bradley in front 20-10, UNI scored six of the next eight points, capped by a Farokhmanesh three from the corner, to get within 22-16 with 4:57 left before halftime.
The Braves extended their lead back to 26-16, but UNI fought back quickly. Moran drained three-pointers on two straight possessions, and Farokhmanesh buried a triple of his own, to help get the Panthers within 31-25 at the break.
After Bradley scored the opening basket of the second half, Farokhmanesh canned a three and Ahelegbe got inside for a layup to pull UNI to within 33-30 with 17:36 left in the game. Bradley responded, however, with a 10-2 run over the next four minutes to open its largest lead of the second half, 43-32, with just under 13 minutes left.
Bradley still held a 50-40 lead at the 10 minute mark, but that's when UNI made its move. Travis Brown got things started with a three-pointer from the left wing, and he also made a pair of free throws to get UNI within 50-45. Koch got free inside for a layup, and O'Rear was then fouled on a layup attempt. He made one of two foul shots to get the Panthers within 50-48, and tied the game shortly after on a tip-in.
Bradley moved in front, 52-50, on two free throws with 5:01 left, but on UNI's next trip down, Farokhmanesh gave the Panthers their first lead of the game with a three-pointer from the top of the key. Bradley tied it a 56 after making one of two at the line, but the Panthers took the lead for good with 3:03 left after Ahelegbe drained a pair of free throws.
Ahelegbe missed a short runner a minute later, but O'Rear was there once again to grab the offensive rebound and score, giving the Panthers a 57-53 lead with 2:17 left. Bradley hit a three-pointer to get within one, and after UNI was called for a charging foul, the Braves got the ball back with a minute to play.
But UNI forced a miss, and O'Rear found Farokhmanesh with an outlet pass in the open court. Farokhmanesh then made a beautiful lob pass to Koch on the break, putting UNI in front 59-56 with 45 seconds left. Bradley missed a three-pointer on the next trip down, and Ahelegbe made six free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the 66-61 win.
UNI shot 45 percent from the field for the game, including 57 percent in the second half, and was 10-for-21 on three-pointers. Bradley made 44 percent of its shots, 39 percent after halftime, and was 9-for-22 from behind the arc.
UNI hits the road this Sunday to face Missouri State, with tipoff time from Springfield, Mo., set for 6:05 pm. The game will be televised live on ESPNU.
