CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Despite trailing by as many as 19 points, the Illinois State men's basketball team trimmed its deficit to three midway through the second half; however, Northern Iowa ultimately held on for a 75-66 Missouri Valley Conference win over the Redbirds Saturday afternoon at the McLeod Center.
The loss snapped ISU's season-best five-game winning streak and dropped the Redbirds (17-12, 11-5 MVC) into a tie with Evansville for second place in the league standings, with two regular-season games remaining. Northern Iowa (17-12, 9-7 MVC) is now in sole possession of fifth in the MVC.