Panthers Power Past Patriots, 73-65

Tuesday, December 8

Fairfax, Va.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

(6-2)

George Mason

(4-6)

UNI

George Mason

Panthers Power Past Patriots, 73-65

12/8/2015 8:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. – The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball squad bounced back with a 73-65 road victory over the George Mason Patriots on Tuesday at EagleBank Arena.

UNI moves to 6-2 overall, while George Mason drops to 4-6 overall. UNI's Paul Jesperson recorded his first career double-double with a career-high 19 points and 12 rebounds. Wes Washpun also tallied 19 points and Matt Bohannon chipped in with 14 points.

The Panthers held an 18-point lead in the first half at 27-9 and led 33-26 at the break. UNI forced 10 Patriot turnovers in the first half, while turning it over only three times on GMU's home floor.

The Patriots whittled away the Panther lead to 53-52 with 5:46 left, but Bohannon drained his third triple of the game to put UNI back on top by four. Washpun followed with a driving layup to give UNI a six-point lead at 58-52. Jesperson canned a three-pointer with 1:43 left to push the margin back to nine at 61-52. Jesperson added two more free throws to complete UNI's 10-0 run.

UNI will be back in action at 8 p.m. on Saturday in Albuquerque, N.M., against the New Mexico Lobos. The game will be shown live on ESPN3.

NOTES: UNI holds a 3-2 lead in the all-time series vs. George Mason with all five meetings occurring since the 2010-11 season … Bohannon has made at least one 3-pointer in 18 consecutive games … UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 503 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference … UNI drained 10 three-pointers – the fifth time this season that UNI has canned 10 more three-pointers in a game … George Mason enjoyed a 49-32 lead in the rebounding battle, including a 23-8 advantage on the offensive glass … Bohannon set a career-high with three steals vs. the Patriots.