University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
17-10,9-7MVC
Drake
12-16,6-11MVC
Panther men’s basketball rolls to impressive 86-62 win over Drake
2/15/2026 5:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNI offense dominates as AJ Green’s jersey is retired to McLeod Center rafters. Panthers visit Indiana State on Wednesday.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- At least four Panthers scored in double figures for a third straight game on Sunday afternoon as the UNI men's basketball team put on an offensive show in an 86-62 win over in-state rival Drake inside the McLeod Center in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) action.
Northern Iowa's three-point offense knocked down 12 shots from beyond the arc while shooting an astounding 62.1% from the field in the second half and capitalizing in fast break opportunities. The win, seen by a season-best crowd of 5,786 fans, improves the Panthers' league record to 9-7 with four games to play in the regular season and into a tie for fifth in the conference standings.
Prior to the game, the Panthers also recognized two-time MVC Player of the Year and current Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green with a jersey retirement ceremony, raising his number four jersey to the McLeod Center rafters.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNI battled through an early deficit in the first nine minutes of the game in a two-possession battle with the Bulldogs. After struggling to finish baskets in the opening minutes, the Panther offense clicked into place as both Trey Campbell and Max Weisbrod caught fire from three-point range, with Weisbrod scoring a triple on consecutive possessions to put Northern Iowa ahead by six points. UNI's pace of play and defense against Drake's three-point shooting allowed the Panthers to stretch its lead to as many as ten points, with Tristan Smith battling inside the paint for eight points, and both Campbell and Leon Bond III scoring seven points as UNI took a 38-29 lead into halftime.
Northern Iowa dominated the second half with its high shooting clip as Weisbrod's hot streak continued with four triples in the final period. The Panthers attacked Drake in transition and off turnovers with a fast pace of play with Will Horsenth establishing an impressive interior presence in the final frame, scoring six-of-seven possessions. Hornseth scored 16 points in the second half with Weisbrod scoring 12 and seven points from Bond as UNI stretched its lead to as many as 31 points in the 24-point victory.
Weisbrod and Hornseth both finished the afternoon with a team-high 18 points each with Hornseth scoring on a UNI career-high six made three-pointers. Both Bond and Smith tallied 14 points each with a seven-rebound performance from Smith, with Ben Schwieger posting eight points and a career-high tying three blocks and Campbell notching seven points and eight assists.
I think we've been playing our best basketball for the last two and a half weeks, said UNI head coach Ben Jacobson. It feels like our confidence and comradery continues to tick up and it's been fun to be around. Will's been playing his best ball of the year in the last four to five weeks, and Max has also really found his stride. We're getting closer with having Tristan back and getting healthy is a big deal for us.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- UNI improves to 54-35 all-time against Drake and 32-8 against the Bulldogs at home. The 24-point margin of victory is the Panthers' largest win over Drake since the 2019-20 regular season finale, and fourth-largest under head coach Ben Jacobson.
- Northern Iowa has now held 13 of its last 16 opponents under 30% shooting from three-point range.
- UNI improves to 100-13 (.884) when scoring 80+ points under head coach Ben Jacobson, having won 18 of their last 19 games when doing so.
- Sunday's game marked the first time the Panthers have scored 80+ points in three straight games since the final three games of the 2021-22 regular season (Missouri State, Indiana State, Loyola-Chicago).
- The Panthers have made at least one three-pointer in 174 consecutive games, a streak dating back to the 2020-21 season.
- UNI's 62 points allowed to Drake on Sunday were tied for the third-fewest scored by the Bulldogs this season, as well as second-fewest in MVC play this year.
- Trey Campbell started his 123rd career game on Sunday, extending his streak to lead all active MVC players. Campbell has also started 90 consecutive contests.
- Campbell also became the eighth player in program history to make 200 career 3FGs (Matt Bohannon, AJ Green, Trae Berhow, Bowen Born, Ben Jacobson, Johnny Moran, Marc Sonnen).
- Campbell also surpassed 300 career assists with his eight assists on Sunday.
- Will Hornseth is 56 points away from scoring his 500th career point. Kyle Pock also surpassed 300 points in his career, while Ben Schwieger notched his 300th rebound in his UNI career.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 18 when they visit Indiana State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute with live coverage available 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.
