Iowa State vs Northern Iowa final score: Cyclones prevail in 91-82 comeback victory over Panthers in overtime

It didn’t look like the normal Iowa State men’s basketball team in the first half, but a second half surge eventually forced overtime. Georges Niang was the glue that held them together until Melvin Ejim was too much for Northern Iowa.

Dec 7, 2013; Des Moines, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard DeAndre Kane (50) grabs a rebound agains the Northern Iowa Panthers at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

The Cyclones (7-0) were down by 18 points early in the second half until they went on an eventual 23-2 run that gave them a 54-51 lead with 9:05 remaining in the game. It was back and forth between them the Panthers (3-5) made a huge shot to force it into overtime.

It was Seth Tuttle, who finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, that banged home a long 3-point shot to tie the game at 71.

But Iowa State eventually went on to outscore UNI 20-11 in the overtime period. Melvin Ejim helped the team by getting an assist on a Dustin Hogue layup to make it 76-73, then he made two consecutive 3-point baskets to make it 82-75, and the Cyclones never looked back.

Niang was the major reason why ISU was even in the game at the end. He fouled out, but he was the player of the game with a career-high 22 points, four steals, and three blocks. Hogue finished with another double-double (17 points, 14 rebounds), DeAndre Kane bounced back with a double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds) along with six assists, and Melvin Ejim had 22 points and seven rebounds.

Nate Buss was instant offense off the bench for the Panthers, who shot an incredible 10 of 14 from the field and finished with 23 points and seven rebounds. Tuttle had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds; Wes Washpun was close with 18 points and eight assists, but also had six turnovers.

Most disappointing on UNI was Deon Mitchell, who was just 4 of 13 from the field, and finished with 13 points, zero assists, and five turnovers.

UNI matched up with ISU from the perimeter, and succeeded making one more 3-point shot (10-30) than the Cyclones (9-27). However, they weren’t reliable from the charity stripe, making just 10 of 19 free throws, and turned the ball over 17 times.

Iowa State actually was dominated inside for the first 25 minutes of the game, but they finally won the battle towards the end, and finished with a 44-41 rebound advantage. The Cyclones held UNI to five offensive boards.

No one should have expected it to be easy, and it certainly wasn’t for Iowa State. But they survive and move on with the Iowa Hawkeyes on the horizon next Friday.