UNI stays undefeated with win at Denver

The Northern Iowa men's basketball team kept its undefeated start intact Wednesday night, going on the road to Denver and picking up a 65-55 win to move to 9-0.

The No. 23 Panthers shot 70 percent from the field and were led by Seth Tuttle with 12 points and Deon Mitchell with 11 on 4 of 4 shooting from the field. UNI came out on fire, hitting its first seven shots and 10 of its first 11. The Panthers shot 15 of 17 overall in the first half and led, 42-25, at the break.

Denver runs a variation of the 'Princeton” offense, which slows the pace down tremendously. The Panthers took just 13 shots in the second half, shooting 46 percent.

UNI had four players in double figures. Paul Jesperson had 10 points on 3 of 4 shooting, 2 of 3 from deep, and Wes Washpun had 11, going 7 of 7 from the free throw line. In total, the Panthers had 32 bench points.

The official news release from the University of Northern Iowa:

'DENVER, Colo. - The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team kept its record perfect with a 65-55 win over the Denver Pioneers on Wednesday night in Magness Arena.

UNI (9-0 overall) shot 70.0 percent for the game and was led by senior forward Seth Tuttle's 12 points. Denver (4-4 overall) was led by Nate Engesser and Marcus Byrd, who each tallied 15 points.

UNI came out on fire to start the game by making its first seven shots to take a 19-8 lead. UNI continued with a hot shooting stroke throughout the first 20 minutes by making 15-of-17 shots (88.2 percent) from the field.

UNI led by as many as 22 points in the first half before taking a 42-25 lead into the intermission.

Denver could not get the game into single-figures in the second half but did outscore the Panthers in the second half, 30-23.

UNI will travel to Richmond, Va., to take on the VCU Rams on Saturday. Tip is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday.

NOTES: UNI limited Denver to only four rebounds in the first half … the Panthers made their first seven shots of the game … UNI closed the first half by making its final five shots from the field … Tuttle reached double figures for the 26th straight game … Deon Mitchell has scored 997 career points following tonight's game … UNI out-rebounded Denver, 21-13 … UNI drained 19-of-23 free throws.”

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