Iowa beats UNI 51-39

Iowa beats UNI 51-39.

Melsahn Basabe had 14 points to lead Iowa. Jarryd Cole added 10 points and 15 rebounds.

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Update: Iowa leads 37-31 with 11:46 left in the game.

Iowa's Melsahn Basabe and UNI's Kwadzo Ahelegbe lead all scorers with 11 points.

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IOWA CITY - Behind Kwadzo Ahelegbe's 11 points, Northern Iowa has taken a 23-22 halftime lead against Iowa tonight at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa raced to a 16-6 lead, but the Panthers stormed back on an 11-0 run. The teams traded buckets for the rest of the half .

Iowa shot just 28 percent from the floor in the first half. UNI wasn't much better at 37 percent. The teams combined to shoot 3-of-18 from 3-point range in the first half.

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Iowa starters: Melsahn Basabe, Matt Gatens, Bryce Cartwright, Eric May and Jarryd Cole

UNI starters: Kwadzo Ahelegbe, Johnny Moran, Jake Koch, Lucas O'Rear, Anthony James

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Iowa-Northern Iowa tips off officially at 7:06 p.m.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena is a popular place tonight with former players Adam Haluska and Jess Settles and former Major League pitcher Jack Morris in attendance.

Wayne Larrivee is doing play-by-play for the Big Ten Network. Former Iowa player Kenyon Murray will provide the color commentary.

I spoke with point guard Cully Payne on the side. It looks like it might be eight weeks before he can start working out again so this might be a lost season for him.

Iowa leads the all-time series 32-8 and has won 21 of 22 at home against UNI. The Panthers rolled the Hawkeyes 67-50 last year at McLeod Center.