University of Northern Iowa
Bradley
UNI Uses Home Koch-in For 83-77 Win Over Bradley
1/9/2011 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - University of Northern Iowa sophomore forward Jake Koch poured in a McLeod Center record 34 points in leading the Panthers to an 83-77 win over the Bradley Braves.
The Panthers (11-6 overall, 2-3 MVC) hung on for the victory despite leading by a count of 42-21 at the half. The Braves (6-10 overall, 0-5 MVC), who trailed by as many as 23 points in the game, rallied with a 56-point second half. Bradley's Andrew Warren almost single-handedly brought the Braves back with 28 of his career-high 30 points in the second half.
"We both needed it tonight and it was a great game," Koch said. "You need to win your home games and now we need to get a win on the road like the way we played last season."
UNI never trailed in the game and the scored was tied once at 3-3. But that did not eliminate any drama from the contest as the Braves whittled a 23-point lead down to two with just 1:17 left in the game. But UNI was able to knock down four free throws in the final 46.3 seconds to claim the win.
The Panthers, who were allowing only 56 points a game entering the contest, allowed the Braves to score 56 points in the second half alone. Warren led the Braves' charge as he went 0-for-4 from the field in the first half, but responded with 7-for-11 in the second half and also made 13-of-13 free throws in the game.
Koch scored his career-best 34 points by making 8-of-13 shots from the field, including 3-of-7 from 3-point land, and he made 15-of-16 free throws. Koch also dished out a game-high six assists.
The Panthers will travel to Normal, Ill., to take on the Illinois State Redbirds on Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in Redbird Arena.
NOTES: The victory was No. 100 in head coach Eric Coleman held the previous McLeod Center record for free throw attempts in a game with 15 (vs. Indiana State, 2/27/08) ... Bradley's Andrew Warren set the McLeod Center record for free throws made by an opponent with 13 (previous mark was 12 - held by two players) ... UNI surpassed the 80-point mark for the second time this season (84 vs. Coe) and for the 12th time in coach Jacobson's era ... UNI is 12-1 all-time when scoring 80 or more points under coach Jacobson.
