Carter and Berhow lead UNI in bounceback win
Junior Austin Phyfe led the Panthers in rebounds with seven in Sunday’s contest against Valparaiso.
Feb 18, 2021
The UNI men’s basketball team took on Valparaiso University last Sunday in the second matchup of the weekend series. The Panthers were coming off losing four of their last five games, looking to bounce back against the 8-13 Valparaiso team. With UNI in control for most of the game, they were able to pick up the 74-60 victory.
The game started off going back and forth, trading baskets for the first 12 minutes. The Panthers then went on a 15-9 run to close out the half and lead at the break 39-33.
To start off the second half, UNI kept things going with their offense efficiency while still holding Valpo to low scoring. The Panthers shot 60% in the first half and 50% in the second half as opposed to Valpo shooting 50% in the first and then 38% in the second half, respectively.
Forwards Trae Berhow and Noah Carter each scored 17 points in the game, to lead the Panthers in scoring, while true freshman Nate Heise scored 15 points on the night. Carter also led the team in rebounds with nine, and Austin Phyfe was second on the team in rebounds with seven boards.
The Panthers limited Valpo to four for 20 from the three point arc on Sunday, much improved from Saturday’s game where the visitors shot 11 for 24 shooting from beyond the arc. This was a key part of this past weekend’s victory.
Northern Iowa also was perfect from the free throw line, making all 10 of their foul shots.
Some standouts from Valparaiso were Ben Krikke, Sheldon Edwards and Donovan Clay. Krikke scored 12 points on the night to go along with five rebounds and one assist, Edwards scored 11 points with two rebounds and one steal, and Clay scored 10 points with two rebounds and one steal.
UNI’s next game is Wednesday, Feb. 17 in the McLeod Center against the Drake Bulldogs. This will be the final home game for the Panthers this season. UNI will be on a nine day break following the game and their final two regular season games will be next Friday and Saturday at Illinois State. The Missouri Valley Conference tournament begins March 4 in St. Louis, Mo.
