University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
New Mexico
UNI Captures iBN Las Vegas Championship With 66-60 Win Over New Mexico
12/24/2010 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team captured the 2010 iBN Las Vegas championship with a 66-60 victory over the New Mexico Lobos in the Orleans Arena.
UNI (9-3 overall) used a career-high 23 points from sophomore guard Anthony James, which included 19 in the second half to spark the Panthers. Sophomore forward Jake Koch also posted 16 points in the win.
New Mexico (10-2 overall) saw its eight-game winning streak halted in the Panther victory. The Lobos were led by A.J. Hardeman's 16 points and Dairese Gary's 14 points.
The Panthers and Lobos battled to a 15-15 deadlock eight minutes into the game before UNI used a 9-0 spurt that was begun by freshman Chip Rank draining a 3-pointer.
After a bucket by UNM's Alex Kirk cut the lead to 24-19, the Panthers responded with an 8-0 run to take a 32-19 advantage with 5:12 left in the half. The Panthers' Austin Pehl scored on a dunk with 4:13 left in the half to push UNI's margin to 34-22, but the Lobos held UNI scoreless the rest of the way to intermission.
The Panthers led 34-31 at the break.
UNM brought the Panther lead to two at 37-35 with 18:24 left in the game on a jumper by A.J. Hardeman. However, UNI's James took over and scored the Panthers' first 12 points of the second half. James made his first six shots of the second half and following his last 3-point make, UNI held a 56-46 lead with 9:37 left.
The Lobos then chipped away at the Panther lead and cut the margin to one point on two occasions but could not wrestle the lead away from UNI. Gary's lay-in with 1:27 left in the game pulled the Lobos to within 61-60.
James made one of two free throws with 55 seconds left to lift UNI to a two-point lead. UNM's Gary turned the ball over with 47 seconds left as James forced a steal. Ahelegbe drove the lane on the ensuing possession and missed a shot, but got the offensive rebound and New Mexico was forced to foul.
Koch made both free throws with 18.6 seconds left to give UNI a 64-60 lead. UNM missed a 3-pointer and James grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 9.9 seconds left. James promptly sunk both free throws to make the final margin, 66-60.
UNI will take to the court again Dec. 29 to open Missouri Valley Conference play against the Missouri State Bears in the McLeod Center.
NOTES: UNI has won four straight games over Mountain West opponents (Wyoming, UNLV, TCU and New Mexico) ... Kwadzo Ahelegbe (Tournament MVP).
