The Northern Iowa men’s basketball traveled to Chicago to play in the United Center against Towson on Saturday. The Panthers came into this game after three straight close losses at home. They were able to snap the streak with a big victory. 

The first half was close the whole way, but it was Towson that had a narrow lead most of the half. Their biggest lead was by six points when they were ahead 21-15. The Panthers cut back into it quickly, and they spent the rest of the half trading baskets. At the break, the score was 33-31 in favor of the Tigers. Bowen Born was leading the way for the Panthers in the first half with 12 points and three assists.

A few minutes into the second half, the Panthers went on a run. They were down 39-34, but went on an 8-0 run to take a 42-39 lead. This was their first lead since they were up 5-3 at the beginning of the game. Towson took the lead back relatively quickly, but then UNI went on an even bigger run. While down 46-44, several different players contributed baskets on a 16-4 run that gave the Panthers a solid 60-50 lead. The Panthers would maintain the lead the rest of the way, with the Tigers unable to get any closer than six points from the lead. With just under three minutes left, and up by eight points, the Panthers did not waste time putting the game away. They ended on a 12-2 run, completing their dominant second-half performance. The Panthers came away with the victory by a final score of 83-66.

The Panthers had four different players score in double figures. Bowen Born led the way with an impressive 27 points, adding in a career-high eight assists. Joining Born in double figures were Cole Henry with 15 points, Tytan Anderson with 14 and Landon Wolf with 11. Anderson also added nine rebounds to lead the team.

With the win, UNI improves to 4-7 on the season, and will play next in the McLeod Center on Thursday, Dec. 22, when they play host to St. Bonaventure.