UNI falls to 4-7 in MVC play with 63-51 loss to Missouri State

Kyle Weems scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Missouri State University Bears past the University of Northern Iowa Panthers in a Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball match-up. The Bears used a 20-3 run midway through the first half to erase an early 9-3 deficit as they raced to a 63-51 victory Saturday afternoon inside JQH Arena.

After taking a 9-3 lead just three minutes into the game, the Panthers (14-9, 4-7 MVC) scored just three points over the next eight minutes and fell behind the Bears 23-12 with 8:27 remaining in the first half.

UNI closed the gap to six points at 28-22 with about three minutes left in the half. However, the Bears (13-10, 6-5 MVC) would end the half on a 6-2 run to take a 34-24 lead into the locker room.

Weems scored 18 of his 20 points in the first half after going 6-for-12 and three-for-three from beyond the arc. The Panthers got no closer than nine points in the second half.

No Panthers scored in double digits. Freshman center Seth Tuttle led the way for UNI with nine points. Sophomore guard Matt Morrison chipped in with eight points off the bench. Junior guard Anthony James led the Panthers with eight rebounds.

UNI has now lost eight of their past 12 games since starting the season 10-1. The Panthers return to action Tuesday night when they host the Southern Illinois University Salukis (7-15, 4-7 MVC). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.