University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
9-2,1-0MVC
UIC
4-7,0-2MVC
UNI men’s basketball rallies for win at UIC in conference opener
12/17/2025 6:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Panthers grab first MVC win after trailing by four at halftime.
CHICAGO --- The UNI men's basketball team rallied from a four-point halftime deficit and grinded its way to a 60-54 victory on Wednesday night in its Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) opener against the UIC Flames inside Credit Union 1 Arena.
Despite being outscored 36-16 inside the paint and a strong interior defense by the Flames, Northern Iowa's rebounding and shooting improved in the second half to help push the Panthers to just their third all-time win at UIC.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNI put on a strong defensive showing early, holding the Flames to 1-for-15 shooting to open the game, along with three blocks in the first three minutes of action. Early three-point baskets from Leon Bond III, Trey Campbell and Geon Hutchins helped cushion the Panthers' early lead as part of an 11-0 to take a 14-2 lead before UIC stormed back, capitalizing on ten first half turnovers by UNI. The Flames would score seven straight points to pull within single digits with Campbell responding with five straight points for a 23-17 lead before UIC closed the half on a 10-0 run to take a 27-23 lead into halftime.
Northern Iowa kept within single-digits in the second frame, slowly chipping away at the Flames' lead. In a back-and-forth half, the Panthers shot 51.9% from the field with a strong performance from Will Hornseth with 13 points, with Ben Schwieger and Campbell both scoring seven points and Bond pulling down six rebounds. A jump shot by Campbell with three, minutes 23 seconds remaining would give the Panthers the lead for good as UIC was held scoreless for the final two minutes, 23 seconds in UNI's comeback victory.
Hornseth and Campbell both finished the afternoon with a team-high 15 points, with Horseth shooting seven-of-nine from floor. Bond scored ten points, along with new career-highs in rebounds (11) and blocks (3) for his first career double-double. Schwieger tallied nine points and seven boards, with Hutchins posting five points.
"I'm really proud of the guys today", said head coach Ben Jacobson. "In the first half we turned the ball over more than we typically have when our ball handling and passing has been very good this year. To stay with it defensively, where we have been rock solid, and our defensive rebounding was good again today. The finish of this game was a result of the experience of our players that came back and being able to bring it home down the stretch."
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI improves to 16-12 all-time against UIC and 6-1 against the Flames as MVC opponents. The win is also the Panthers third straight against UIC and only the third win for UNI at Credit Union 1 Arena.
- Northern Iowa has now held ten of its first 11 opponents under 70 points this season, including seven under 60 points.
- Wednesday marked the first time UNI has won a game this season after trailing at halftime. The Panthers trailed in both of their regular season losses this season to Tulsa and Wichita State.
- Trey Campbell made his 107th career start on Wednesday afternoon, tying him for tenth-most in program history.
- Ben Schwieger is now 89 points shy of becoming the 116th member of UNI's 500 career point club.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action on Monday, Dec. 22 for its non-conference finale at Saint Mary's (CA). Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. CT at University Credit Union Arena in Morega, California with live coverage of the game can be found on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network (93.5 The Mix).
UNI men's basketball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Men's Basketball), X (@UNImbb) and on Instagram (@uni_basketball). Schedule and roster information, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
