Busting Brackets
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Missouri Valley Basketball: Plenty of revenge from last week’s matchups

By Harry Schroeder

Jan 25, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Loyola (Il) Ramblers guard Keith Clemons (5) after scoring a three point basket against Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Joseph J. Gentile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Loyola (Il) Ramblers guard Keith Clemons (5) after scoring a three point basket against Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Joseph J. Gentile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Northern Iowa forward Noah Carter Missouri Valley Basketball 020522 Drake Uni 007 Jpg
Northern Iowa forward Noah Carter Missouri Valley Basketball 020522 Drake Uni 007 Jpg /

Northern Iowa gets quality win over Drake

Northern Iowa allowed a sizeable lead to slip away during their home loss to Drake. The Panthers led 69-59 with 3:37 left. They didn’t tally another field goal during regulation time and made just one in overtime. Drake’s 82-74 win was all about the Bulldogs’ ability to shut down the high-powered UNI offense with the game on the line.

While Green scored 27 points, Noah Carter and Trae Berhow were held to a combined ten points on 3 for 18 shooting days. That loss stuck with the Panthers and those poor offensive performances were on the two seniors’ minds heading into Drake’s Knapp Center.

Drake’s rebounders dominated the first matchup (42-34) grabbing twelve offensive rebounds and scoring 15 second-chance points. UNI coach Ben Jacobson was intent on changing that script.

Six minutes into the game the script was different. Drake led the contest 10-2, but UNI was intent on playing better defense and getting the ball to Carter and Berhow. The game was tight throughout and with Green struggling with his shot (he was one for nine and didn’t make a three), the seniors led the way.

Carter scored 23 points and Berhow 16 and once again the game went into overtime. This time the Panthers put the squeeze on the Drake offense. The Bulldogs made one of ten field goal attempts and the road victory moved UNI into a tie with Drake at 8-3.

DeVries led Drake with 15 points. UNI’s 74-69 win reminds us that “revenge is sweet.”

Jacobson said the difference between the two games was a tougher mindset by his Panther players.

"“We had to be tougher than we were the first time,” said Jacobson. “We had to get the ball into him (Carter) we had to drive it more. We just had to be tougher, and it felt like we were.”"

The UNI/Drake Saturday overtime game was the Valley’s ninth during league play and the tenth would come minutes later as Indiana State and Valparaiso took two extra periods to determine a winner. Twenty-six of the Valley’s 56 conference games have been determined by five or fewer points or in overtime.