Men's Basketball Fall to 5-7 in the MVC

Saturday, February 9

Des Moines, Iowa

5 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

10-15 (5-7MVC)

Drake University

18-7 (7-5MVC)

UNI

Drake

Men's Basketball Fall to 5-7 in the MVC

2/9/2019 7:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

DES MOINES, Iowa – Four Panthers scored in double digits but the men's basketball team fell 83-77 to in-state rival Drake on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers and Bulldogs traded leads the entire first half. The Bulldogs were able to enter halftime with a four-point lead. The Panthers shot 55.2 percent from the field, marking the sixth time this season the Panthers recorded a field goal percentage over .500 in the opening half.

Four Panthers recorded six points in the first half in AJ Green, Wyatt Lohaus, Tywhon Pickford, and Spencer Haldeman. Trae Berhow ended the first half with three points and hauled in six total rebounds while Luke McDonnell led the team with three first-half assists and the lone steal.

The Panthers tied the game in the first minute of play in the second half but were unable to keep pace with the Bulldogs. Drake pulled ahead and maintained the lead for ten minutes before the Panthers claimed the lead from a Spencer Haldeman three-pointer with 9:21 remaining in the game. The Panthers tied the game 61-61 with 8:42 left but were unable to hold off the Bulldogs in the closing minutes, being outscored 43-41 in the second half.

The Panthers were uncharacteristically loose with the ball on Saturday, recording 14 turnovers. The Panthers average only 10.3 turnovers per game, the fewest in the MVC. Saturday's contest is only the third time the team has recorded over 12 turnovers in an MVC game this season.

AJ Green topped his season average on Saturday, finished with 19 points and a team-high five assists. Senior Wyatt Lohaus dropped 16 points while going seven of nine from the field and two for two from the three-point arc. Spencer Haldeman ended with 12 points and Tywhon Pickford finished with 10 points and hauled in five rebounds.

Trae Berhow finished with eight points while leading the team in rebounding, hauling in six total boards. Luke McDonnell was three of seven from the field for six points and three rebounds and four assists.

Justin Dahl set a career record with three blocked shots against the Bulldogs while hauling in five rebounds.

UP NEXT

The Panthers, now 10-15 overall and 5-7 in the MVC, take on the 14-10 Redbirds of Illinois State on Wednesday, February 13 in the McLeod Center. The Redbirds are 7-4 in the MVC this season after falling to Valparaiso 69-53 on Feb 5. The Panthers fell to the Redbirds in Redbird Arena 70-69 back on Jan 8. Tip-off is set for 7 pm and can be viewed on ESPN+.

The UNI athletic department is offering a Buy One Get One for the Panthers game on Feb 13. In addition to the Valentines offer, the first 500 fans in the McLeod Center will receive free chocolate hearts. The game will also be $1 popcorn night.