The UNI men’s basketball team received its third straight win on Saturday as they defeated the Evansville Purple Aces on the road, 54-52. UNI is now 9-1 in the last 10 games.

On Saturday, the UNI men’s basketball team received its third win in a row, (9-1 in the last 10 games) as they look to begin the MVC Tournament next week against Southern Illinois.

Both teams found the bottom of the basket as the score was relatively close throughout the entire first half. With 8:34 remaining in the first half, the Panthers were ahead by just one, 13-12.

With a successful jump shot from Paul Jesperson, the Panthers found themselves on a 12-4 run during the last six minutes of the game. Three pointers from Jeremy Morgan and Klint Carlson followed, with UNI ended the first half with a 25-16 lead.

UNI’s defense held Evansville to 29.4 percent shooting in the first half.

After the break, the Panthers continued to hold on to their lead but the Aces did not back down.

After another successful three-pointer from Jesperson, the Panthers’ lead was up to 10 with 17:00 remaining in the second half.

But their lead was eventually cut to just four after a tip in by Evansville’s D.J. Balentine with almost 8:00 remaining to play.

Cutting it very close, the Panthers never gave up the lead, and multiple shots from the charity line helped secure the win.

UNI shot 12-13 free throws in the second half with Wes Washpun making all six of his and Morgan going 3-4.

Evansville’s defense stepped it up as they held the Panthers to 35 percent shooting in the second half.

Top scorers for the night included Washpun, putting up 14 points, five assists, three blocks and three steals; Klint Carlson with 10 points and a steal and Morgan put up nine points, three assists and a steal of his own.

The Panthers will take their momentum into the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in St. Louis. Their first opponent will be the Southern Illinois Redbirds on March 4 at 2:30 p.m.