CEDAR FALLS, Ia. — Mixed together, Wednesday’s basketball ingredients created something pungent. There were dashes of turnovers, pinches of errant treys and large helpings of offensive futility.
But Northern Iowa isn’t picky about victories these days.
The Panthers got an ugly — but big — win Wednesday. Despite a wretched shooting night, UNI clawed past Southern Illinois, 49-41, for its fifth straight home win, moving the Panthers (12-12, 7-6 Missouri Valley) back to .500 for the first time since Dec. 17. The victory also gives UNI its first winning record in conference play this season.
“I’m just really proud of everybody for the way we’re fighting right now,” said Klint Carlson, who poured in a game-high 14 points.