Men's Basketball Keeps It Close in Exhibition Against Division I Northern Iowa
Nov 25, 2015
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Senior Andre Norris scored 20 points and the Spartans converted 14 turnovers into 21 points as the University of Dubuque men's basketball team fell to the University of Northern Iowa, 83-63, in their only exhibition match of the season on Thanksgiving Eve.
After keeping it close in the first half, the Panthers (3-1) pulled away in the second thanks to a 15 of 24 performance from the field (62.5%) that included five threes and 10 free throw makes. A three-pointer by Norris at the 9:35 mark cut the Panther lead to nine as UNI padded its lead from there.
UD finished with 38% shooting with half of their shots coming via the three-ball. Norris converted both of UD's free throw attempts on the game and he and point guard Alex Vogel both grabbed a game-high three steals en route to a 21-4 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Panthers shot 55.6% from the field and canned a season-high 11 three-pointers on 24 attempts. Jeremy Morgan tallied the Panthers only double-double with 15 points, 10 boards, and four assists while Cedar Rapids native Wes Washpun added a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds.
Solid defense allowed the Spartans to trail, 38-31, at halftime despite shooting 41% and allowing the Panthers to shoot 56%. Junior Jacob Mohlis was key after knocking down some tough fall-away three pointers over UNI's lengthy big men and notched seven of UD's first nine points. Mohlis finished 4 of 7 with two three-pointers and Norris converted 5 of 11 shots as each had 10 points in the first half.
A total of 18 Spartans saw the floor with 11 attempting at least one shot.
The Spartans head to the Nebraska Wesleyan Classic this Thanksgiving weekend to face host Nebraska Wesleyan on Friday and Greenville (Ill.) College on Saturday.
