University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Drake
Drake Snaps UNI's 8-Game Winning Streak, 72-69
2/5/2011 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DES MOINES, Iowa - Jake Koch saw his 30-footer hit the backboard and front rim at the buzzer but the shot would not drop as the Drake Bulldogs scored their first win in five tries against the University of Northern Iowa Panthers at the Knapp Center on Saturday, 72-69.
Kwadzo Ahelegbe led the Panthers in scoring with 26 points on 9 of 16 shooting. Anthony James added 14 points and Jake Koch had 13 for the Panthers. Anthony James scored his second consecutive and second career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Panthers were outrebounded 30-28 in the game and turned the ball over only four times in the game.
UNI went on a 12-4 run early in the first half with Koch scoring seven of those points. Dunham added a 3-pointer of his own to cap the scoring. Drake then answered with an 8-3 run of its own. The teams traded baskets the remainder of the first half with the Panthers leading 35-34 at the break.
During the second half neither team went on a run of more than five. Drake took its biggest lead of the game at 49-44 with 11:57 left to play, but the Panthers answered with a 5-0 run of their own to tie it at 49 all with 10:48 left.
Drake held a three-point lead with 1:53 to play on two made free throws by Reece Uhlenhopp before Anthony James added two free throws of his own to cut the lead to one with a minute left. Drake's Ryan Wedel and Ahelegbe traded buckets to keep the score at 70-69 with 18 seconds left to play.
UNI's James drove to the basket with six seconds left but his layup missed and Drake grabbed the rebound. Drake's Jordan Clarke made one of two free throws with 4.2 seconds left setting the stage for Koch's 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
The game featured 13 ties and 12 lead changes.
The Panthers dropped to 18-7 overall and 9-4 in MVC play, while Drake improves to 9-15 overall and 4-9 in league action. The Panthers travel to Evansville, Ind., on Feb. 8 to take on the Evansville Purple Aces at 7 p.m.
