Men's Basketball Open Season With 58-53 Victory

Tuesday, November 5

Cedar Falls, IA

7 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

1-0,0-0MVC

Old Dominion University

-01,00 CUSA

Old Dominion

UNI

Men's Basketball Open Season With 58-53 Victory

11/5/2019 10:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The UNI men's basketball team opened the season against Old Dominion in the McLeod Center, defeating the Monarchs 58-53.

The Panthers led the game for all but 32 second on Tuesday night. Strong defense highlighted the game, with just a 26-25 halftime lead the Panthers had made 11 of 32 field goals but were held to just two three pointers on 17 total attempts. The Panther defense forced eight Old Dominion turnovers with freshman Antwan Kimmons recording the lone Panther steal in first half.

The offense picked up midway through the second half when Spencer Haldeman hitting back to back three pointers to give the Panthers a 39-30 lead with 13:34 remaining in the game. Austin Phyfe added two free throws five minutes later to give the Panthers an 11 point lead at 48-37, their largest lead of the game.

Following the final media timeout, a Panther turnover and three Monarch field goals put the Panther lead to just three with 54 seconds remaining in the game. Trae Berhow drew a foul with just four seconds remaining in the game, making both free throws the junior guard sealed the game for the Panthers, moving the team to 1-0 for the second year in a row.

AJ Green and Spencer Haldeman led the Panthers with 12 point apiece. Austin Phyfe finished the game with a double-double, recording 10 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and two assists. Phyfe recorded 32 minutes in his first game back after receiving a medical redshirt last season.

Spencer Haldeman hauled in six defensive rebounds while adding a team high three three pointers on the night. Tywhon Pickford led the Panthers with two steals on the night while Isaiah Brown added six point and six rebounds in just under 30 minutes of playing time.

FIRST HALF KEY STATS
UNI
-          UNI led 26-25 at the break
-          Isaiah Brown scores the first bucket of the season for the Panthers
-          Noah Carter, Antwan Kimmons and James Betz get their first minutes and points as Panthers
-          Panthers commit 7 turnovers
-          AJ Green leads all scorers with 8 points
Old Dominion
-          Jaylin Hunter records his first points as a Monarch
-          Old Dominion commits 8 turnovers
-          Jason Wade led the Monarchs with 4 steals

SECOND HALF KEY STATS
UNI
-          Austin Phyfe's 11 rebounds is a new career high in a single game
-          Spencer Haldeman's 6 rebounds ties his career high
-          Berhow's 2 late free throws secure the UNI win
Old Dominion
-          Jason Wade's 6 steals ties his career high in a game
-          Jason Wade's 13 points is a new career high in a game
-          Xavier Green had a career high in rebounds with 8
-          Xavier Green & Jason Wade led both teams in scoring with 13

UP NEXT
The 1-0 Panthers now set their sights on the Huskies of Northern Illinois. The 3 p.m. game will be the season opener for the Huskies. Northern Illinois finished the 2018-19 season at 17-17, making the MAC semifinal game. Saturday's game can be viewed on ESPN3.