Northern Iowa Panthers Hold Off Indiana State Sycamores 81-60 Behind Hornseth's 18 Points

The Northern Iowa Panthers dominated the Indiana State Sycamores 81-60, with Will Hornseth leading the charge with 18 points, as the Panthers extended their winning streak to 3 games, and improved their record to 18-10. Northern Iowa shot 51.9% from the field, including 42.1% from three-point range, with 7 different players scoring 6 points or more. The Panthers also outrebounded the Sycamores 38-29, with a 14-8 advantage on the offensive glass, which led to 12 second-chance points. Indiana State, on the other hand, shot just 38.3% from the field, including 25% from three-point range, and committed 14 turnovers, which the Panthers converted into 17 points. The Sycamores' recent trend of struggling on defense continued, as they allowed 73.8 points per game over their last 5 games, and were outscored by 0.2 points per game in that stretch.

The game was essentially over by halftime, as Northern Iowa took a 36-34 lead into the break, despite Ian Scott's 10 points for Indiana State in the first half. However, the Panthers came out on fire in the second half, outscoring the Sycamores 45-26, with Hornseth scoring 10 of his 18 points in the half. Ben Schwieger added 17 points for the Panthers, while Max Weisbrod chipped in with 14 points. The Panthers' 45 points in the second half marked their highest scoring half of the season, and their 81 total points marked their 10th game of the season with 75 points or more. Indiana State, on the other hand, has now lost 4 of their last 5 games, and has been outscored by an average of 5.4 points per game in that stretch.

Hornseth's 18 points were a game-high, and he also added 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Schwieger's 17 points came on 7-12 shooting from the field. Weisbrod's 14 points were a season-high, and he also added 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. For Indiana State, Scott's 14 points and 7 rebounds were not enough to overcome the Panthers' balanced attack. Markus Harding added 13 points for the Sycamores, but shot just 5-14 from the field, including 1-6 from three-point range. Bruno Alocen scored 9 points off the bench for Indiana State, but the Sycamores' bench was outscored 23-15 by the Panthers' bench. The Panthers' bench has now outscored their opponents' bench in 12 of their last 15 games, and has averaged 24.5 points per game in that stretch.

The Panthers' recent form has been impressive, with 4 wins in their last 5 games, and an average margin of victory of 15.2 points in that stretch. They have also outscored their opponents by an average of 15.2 points per game over their last 5 games, and have held their opponents to just 38.5% shooting from the field in that stretch. Indiana State, on the other hand, has struggled recently, with just 1 win in their last 5 games, and an average margin of defeat of 6.2 points in that stretch. The Sycamores have also been outscored by an average of 0.2 points per game over their last 5 games, and have allowed their opponents to shoot 45.1% from the field in that stretch.

The CHD Scout's prediction of Northern Iowa by 8.1 points was correct, as the Panthers dominated the Sycamores from start to finish. The scout's model likely took into account Northern Iowa's recent form, as well as their strong defense, which has allowed just 63.4 points per game over their last 5 games. The model also likely accounted for Indiana State's struggles on defense, as well as their recent trend of losing close games, with 4 of their last 5 losses coming by 5 points or less. The Panthers' ability to dominate the paint, with a 38-29 rebounding advantage, and their ability to convert Indiana State's 14 turnovers into 17 points, were also likely factors in the scout's prediction.

The win for Northern Iowa marks their 10th Quad 3 win of the season, and improves their NET ranking to 84. The loss for Indiana State drops their NET ranking to 221, and marks their 10th Quad 3 loss of the season. The Panthers' Quad 3 record is now 10-5, while the Sycamores' Quad 3 record is just 2-13. The Panthers have also won 7 of their last 9 games against Quad 3 opponents, and have outscored those opponents by an average of 10.1 points per game in that stretch. Indiana State, on the other hand, has lost 7 of their last 9 games against Quad 3 opponents, and has been outscored by an average of 6.5 points per game in that stretch.

The win for Northern Iowa is a significant one, as it improves their tournament resume and gives them a strong chance of earning an at-large bid. The Panthers' NET ranking of 84 is now the highest it has been all season, and their Quad 3 record of 10-5 is one of the best in the country. The loss for Indiana State, on the other hand, is a devastating one, as it drops their NET ranking to 221 and makes it unlikely that they will earn a tournament bid. The Sycamores' Quad 3 record of 2-13 is one of the worst in the country, and their recent trend of losing close games has hurt their chances of earning a bid. The Panthers' win also marks their 5th win in the last 6 games, and their 10th win in the last 14 games, and gives them a strong chance of finishing the season with a winning record.

The Northern Iowa Panthers' 81-60 win over the Indiana State Sycamores marks a significant turning point in the season for both teams. The Panthers' dominant performance, led by Hornseth's 18 points, has given them a strong chance of earning a tournament bid, while the Sycamores' loss has all but eliminated their chances. The Panthers' recent form, with 5 wins in their last 6 games, and their strong defense, which has allowed just 63.4 points per game over their last 5 games, make them a team to watch in the coming weeks. Indiana State, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus if they hope to salvage their season, with just 4 games remaining on their schedule. The Sycamores' recent trend of struggling on defense, and their inability to convert their opponents' turnovers into points, have been major factors in their recent losses, and must be addressed if they hope to turn their season around.