The UNI men’s basketball team lost their first home game on Tuesday night against the Toledo Rockets 83-75. The Panthers kept the game competitive but in the end weren’t able to get the win.

UNI had to fight through some adversity in the first half with a few big deficits. The offense started off a little slow, with 11 minutes left in the half they found themselves down 12 points. However, an ensuing 12-point run for the Panthers tied the game at 28-28 with eight minutes to go in the opening half. The Rockets responded with a 12-point run of their own to bump their lead up again just before half time. A late three-pointer by Landon Wolf dropped the lead down to nine points as the teams entered halftime. The Rockets led 40-31.

The Panthers exploded out of the gates in the second half going on a 14-4 run to take their first lead of the game with 16 minutes left, 45-44. However, that lead only lasted about 15 seconds and the Rockets never looked back. UNI was able to keep the game close for most of the remaining time until Toledo pulled away at the end. After a series of fouling and corresponding free throws to close out the final seconds, Toledo won 83-75.

The Panthers had a decent night shooting the ball with 48% from the field and 34% from three. UNI was actually able to outscore the Rockets in the second half 44-43; it just wasn’t enough to secure the win. 

Bowen Born once again led the Panthers in scoring with another impressive performance totalling 27 points and four rebounds. Born has now scored 22 or more points in the last four outings, and is leading the Missouri Valley Conference in points per game with 22.4. Two other Panthers reached double-figure scoring, Trey Campbell had 15 points while Tytan Anderson had 13 points as well as 10 rebounds to lead the team. This was Anderson’s fourth double-double of the season, and he currently leads the MVC in rebounds per game with 9.9.

UNI’s record now sits at 3-5 overall. With their 1-1 conference record they still sit in a tie for third place in the MVC. The Panthers will look to get back on track against McNeese State which will serve as an excellent opportunity to do so. McNeese State has lost their last three games and their last four away games. This game will be held on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center for faculty and staff appreciation night. The game can be streamed on ESPN+ or listened to on Panther Sports Radio KXEL 1540.