Ramblers End Panthers Win Streak, 59-56

Wednesday, February 17

Chicago, Ill.

7 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

16-12 (8-7)

Loyola

13-14 (6-9)

UNI

Loyola

Ramblers End Panthers Win Streak, 59-56

2/17/2016 9:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. – The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team had its season-long six-game win streak snapped Wednesday by the Loyola Ramblers at Gentile Arena, 59-56.

UNI (16-12 overall, 8-7 MVC) was led by Paul Jesperson (16 points), Matt Bohannon (15 points) and Was Washpun (11 points, five assists, four steals).

Loyola improved to 13-14 overall and 6-9 in MVC action. The Ramblers were led in scoring by Milton Doyle's 13 points.

UNI led by as many as seven in the first half at 23-16 following a three-pointer from Bohannon with 10:55 on the clock. But the Panther offense would struggle going into the half by making only one of its last 11 field goal attempts. UNI missed its final eight field goal attempts in the first 20 minutes of action. In the last 10:55 of the half UNI only managed six points, with its only field goal coming from Paul Jesperson with 6:20 remaining. The game was knotted at 29-29 at the half.

UNI built another seven-point lead in the second half behind the three-point shooting from Jesperson at 38-31 with 13:57 remaining. Loyola responded with a 12-2 run to take a 43-40 lead with 11:08 left in the game.

The Panthers led by three at 52-49 with 2:00 left after a pair of free throws by Jeremy Morgan. Doyle was able to tie the game at 52-52 on a three-pointer with 1:09 on the clock. Bohannon drained a pair of free throws to give UNI its final lead of the game at 54-52 with 53.1 remaining. Loyola's Montel James scored on a conventional three-point play with 44.5 left go take the lead, 55-54.

The Ramblers made four free throws in the final 13 seconds to secure a 59-56 lead. Washpun was fouled with 1.9 left and missed both free throws but UNI was awarded the ball with 1.4 on the clock. Morgan found Klint Carlson in the corner for an open look at a three at the buzzer but the ball hit the front rim and glanced off giving the Ramblers a season sweep of the Panthers.

UNI will return home to take on the Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the McLeod Center.

NOTES: UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 523 straight games … Wes Washpun moved into second place on UNI's single-season assist chart and now only trails Brooks McKowen's 179 assists set in the 2006-2007 season … Washpun has 156 assists on the season ... UNI won the rebounding battle, 35-29.