University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Men's Basketball Host Missouri State
1/28/2020 2:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
WEDNESDAY'S ACTION:
UNI vs Missouri State | Wednesday, January 29 | 6 PM | McLeod Center | Cedar Falls, Iowa
THE SERIES
The Panthers and Bears will meet for the 80th time in program history. The Panthers trail the Bears in the all-time series 35-44. The Panthers lost the first-ever meeting during the 1998-93 season, falling to the Bears 53-72. Head coach Ben Jacobson is 20-8 against Missouri State, holding a 10-3 record in the McLeod Center. Jacobson has a 10-4 record on the road and a 0-1 record in neutral site games against the Bears.
THE PANTHERS
•The Panthers are a perfect 11-0 inside the McLeod Center this season. The Panthers have finished undefeated in the McLeod Center twice, the 2009-10 and the 2014-15 seasons.
• The Panthers are now 57-6 when scoring 80+ points under Ben Jacobson, and are 8-0 in contest scoring over 80 points this season.
• AJ Green made 44 consecutive free throws (Dec 22-Jan 22), breaking the UNI record of 32 straight set by Bill McCoy. Green's 44 consecutive made free throws are tied 6th best in MVC history.
•Averaging 74.3 PPG in Valley play, the Panthers lead the league in scoring.
• Making 70 total 3PT-FG the Panthers are tied for first for most in the Valley. The Panthers have made 40.2% of their three-point attempts ranking second in the league behind only Bradley (40.3%).
• AJ Green has averaged 23.1 PPG in Valley play, leading the league.
• Austin Phyfe is 2nd in the Valley averaging 8.9 RPG. Phyfe is second in the Valley in offensive rebounds, averaging 3.6 offensive rebounds per game.
•Austin Phyfe has made 65.2% of his shots from the field in Valley play, the highest mark in the league.
• AJ Green leads the league in multiple categories including three-point field goal percentage (46.9%), three G (3.8), and free throw percentage (97.4%).
THE BEARS
•Missouri State is 23-8 under Dana Ford when holding its opponents under 70 points. Sunday's 71-69 loss at Drake marked the third MVC foe to score 70 against the Bears this season (0-3 in those games) and pushed Missouri State to 3-6 in games decided by four points or less during the current campaign.
•The Bears had two players post double-doubles at Drake on Sunday, marking the first time in over two years Missouri State has reached that rare milestone. Gaige Prim's 23 points and 12 rebounds boosted him to his first double-double this season, while Keandre Cook posted 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds against the Bulldogs.
•Keandre Cook is averaging 20.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 threes over last 4 games. He has scored in double figures in 17-of-21 games this season and 40 times in his two seasons at MSU. His .840 free throw percentage ranks 3rd in the MVC and 80th nationally.
• MSU ranks 51st nationally in rebound margin +5.2, which is also 3rd in the MVC. In league games, the Bears are snagging 78.4% of their opponent misses while holding teams to 41.8% shooting in league play.
• The Bears are relying heavily on their three freshmen of late with the trio of Isiaih Mosley, Ja'Monta Black, and Ford Cooper Jr. starting the last four games. The classmates have combined to outscore the upper classes in two of the last three games with a 25.5 scoring average over the last four contests.
•Isiaih Mosley is averaging 13.9 points per game in Valley play and as a starter.
• Gaige Prim has scored in double figures in 13-of-16 appearances this year with at least 8 points in every contest. He is averaging a team-best 14.9 points away from home this season.
• As a team, the Bears rank 43rd nationally in free throw percentage (.754) and have converted a league-best 78.4 percent from the line in Valley play.
•Ja'Monta Black is coming off back-to-back games with 8 points. He is also averaging 4.5 rebounds per game in that span and has knocked down at least one 3-pointer in 4 straight contests.
UNI vs Missouri State | Wednesday, January 29 | 6 PM | McLeod Center | Cedar Falls, Iowa
THE SERIES
The Panthers and Bears will meet for the 80th time in program history. The Panthers trail the Bears in the all-time series 35-44. The Panthers lost the first-ever meeting during the 1998-93 season, falling to the Bears 53-72. Head coach Ben Jacobson is 20-8 against Missouri State, holding a 10-3 record in the McLeod Center. Jacobson has a 10-4 record on the road and a 0-1 record in neutral site games against the Bears.
THE PANTHERS
•The Panthers are a perfect 11-0 inside the McLeod Center this season. The Panthers have finished undefeated in the McLeod Center twice, the 2009-10 and the 2014-15 seasons.
• The Panthers are now 57-6 when scoring 80+ points under Ben Jacobson, and are 8-0 in contest scoring over 80 points this season.
• AJ Green made 44 consecutive free throws (Dec 22-Jan 22), breaking the UNI record of 32 straight set by Bill McCoy. Green's 44 consecutive made free throws are tied 6th best in MVC history.
•Averaging 74.3 PPG in Valley play, the Panthers lead the league in scoring.
• Making 70 total 3PT-FG the Panthers are tied for first for most in the Valley. The Panthers have made 40.2% of their three-point attempts ranking second in the league behind only Bradley (40.3%).
• AJ Green has averaged 23.1 PPG in Valley play, leading the league.
• Austin Phyfe is 2nd in the Valley averaging 8.9 RPG. Phyfe is second in the Valley in offensive rebounds, averaging 3.6 offensive rebounds per game.
•Austin Phyfe has made 65.2% of his shots from the field in Valley play, the highest mark in the league.
• AJ Green leads the league in multiple categories including three-point field goal percentage (46.9%), three G (3.8), and free throw percentage (97.4%).
THE BEARS
•Missouri State is 23-8 under Dana Ford when holding its opponents under 70 points. Sunday's 71-69 loss at Drake marked the third MVC foe to score 70 against the Bears this season (0-3 in those games) and pushed Missouri State to 3-6 in games decided by four points or less during the current campaign.
•The Bears had two players post double-doubles at Drake on Sunday, marking the first time in over two years Missouri State has reached that rare milestone. Gaige Prim's 23 points and 12 rebounds boosted him to his first double-double this season, while Keandre Cook posted 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds against the Bulldogs.
•Keandre Cook is averaging 20.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 threes over last 4 games. He has scored in double figures in 17-of-21 games this season and 40 times in his two seasons at MSU. His .840 free throw percentage ranks 3rd in the MVC and 80th nationally.
• MSU ranks 51st nationally in rebound margin +5.2, which is also 3rd in the MVC. In league games, the Bears are snagging 78.4% of their opponent misses while holding teams to 41.8% shooting in league play.
• The Bears are relying heavily on their three freshmen of late with the trio of Isiaih Mosley, Ja'Monta Black, and Ford Cooper Jr. starting the last four games. The classmates have combined to outscore the upper classes in two of the last three games with a 25.5 scoring average over the last four contests.
•Isiaih Mosley is averaging 13.9 points per game in Valley play and as a starter.
• Gaige Prim has scored in double figures in 13-of-16 appearances this year with at least 8 points in every contest. He is averaging a team-best 14.9 points away from home this season.
• As a team, the Bears rank 43rd nationally in free throw percentage (.754) and have converted a league-best 78.4 percent from the line in Valley play.
•Ja'Monta Black is coming off back-to-back games with 8 points. He is also averaging 4.5 rebounds per game in that span and has knocked down at least one 3-pointer in 4 straight contests.
Players Mentioned
Ben Jacobson Postgame Interview - Nov. 7, 2025.
Friday, November 07
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 12)
Wednesday, November 05
Ben Jacobson Press Conference - Nov. 3, 2025
Monday, November 03
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 11)
Wednesday, October 29















