University of Northern Iowa
5-0
Virginia Tech
2-2
UNI Reaches Cancun Title Game With 73-54 Win Over Virginia Tech
11/25/2014 1:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CANCUN, Mexico – The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team scored a 73-54 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Cancun Challenge. The Panthers never trailed in the contest.
UNI stayed perfect on the year at 5-0 behind a balanced effort from Matt Bohannon (13 pts.), Seth Tuttle (11 pts.), Nate Buss (10 pts.) and Marvin Singleton (10 pts., 9 rbs.). Virginia Tech dropped to 2-2 overall.
UNI led by nine points at half and extended its lead to 22 midway through the second half. The Panthers enjoyed a large advantage at the foul line as UNI made 18-of-20 at the line. Virginia Tech struggled at the line as it made only three free throws in eight attempts.
UNI will take on Northwestern in Wednesday's Cancun Challenge title matchup. The championship game will tip at 8:30 p.m. (CT) on the CBS Sports Network. Northwestern defeated Miami (Ohio), 55-46.
NOTES: UNI's 5-0 start ties it for the second-best start in the school's Division I history – UNI started 6-0 in the 1999-2000 season … the best start in school history came as a Division II school in the 1963-64 season when the Panthers won their first 10 games under then head coach Norm Stewart … UNI earned the program's second win over an Atlantic Coast Conference school … UNI's only previous win over an ACC school came on Nov. 23, 2009, when the Panthers defeated Boston College, 83-69, at the Paradise Jam … UNI is 2-3 all-time vs. the ACC (L, 63-60 vs. Clemson in 1991-92; L, 65-60 vs. Georgia Tech in 2004 NCAA Tournament; L, 80-66 vs. Maryland in 2013-14) … the Panthers shot 50 percent from the field – the third time they have shot 50 percent or better this season … UNI won the rebounding battle for the fourth time in five tries this year, 27-24.
