Northern Iowa’s Jordan Eglseder scores 13, No. 25 Northern Iowa beats Illinois State 61-55

No. 25 Northern Iowa beats Illinois State 61-55

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Northern Iowa center Jordan Eglseder returned from a three-game suspension to score 13 points, and No. 25 Northern Iowa beat Illinois State 61-55 on Saturday night to complete its first unbeaten season at home in 46 years.

Adam Koch added 12 points and a key late block for the Panthers (25-4, 15-3 Missouri Valley), who also reached the 25-win mark for the first time.

Illinois State’s Lloyd Phillips and Osiris Eldridge hit 3-pointers to pull the Redbirds (21-9, 11-7) within 58-55 with 34.4 seconds left. But Koch swatted Dinma Odiakosa’s layup try and Johnny Moran hit a pair of free throws with 7 seconds left to help the Panthers hang on.

Eldridge had 14 points for Illinois State, which lost for the first time in seven games. The Redbirds will be the third seed in next week’s Missouri Valley tournament.

The Panthers are rarely flashy, notching just one double-digit win since Jan. 27. But once again, they were a few possessions better than their opponent.

Northern Iowa maintained a slim lead to start the second half, jumping ahead 45-40 on Ali Farokhmanesh’s 3 with 8:16 left. Panthers coach Ben Jacobson picked up a technical foul shortly thereafter for arguing a foul call, but Illinois State could only squeeze one point out of a golden opportunity to seize momentum.

Koch, who’d been frustrated much of the night by Illinois State’s physical defense, took over from there. He broke through for a transition slam, a soft bank shot and two free throws to make it 53-45 with just under four minutes left.

Eglseder was suspended for three games after being arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated on Feb. 14. The Panthers second-leading scorer and their leading rebounder passed the 1,000-point mark early in the second half.

Eglseder showed up with a freshly-shaved head, and the 7-footer’s renewed focus was apparent from the opening tip. He helped key an 18-4 run that put the Panthers ahead by 11 midway through the first half, a lead they would not relinquish.

Eglseder found Kerwin Dunham for a 3 in the corner with a bullet pass from the top of the key, then blocked Jackie Carmichael underneath to set up another Dunham 3.

Eglseder finished 5 of 10 from the floor with six rebounds, and received a large ovation from the crowd in Senior Night ceremonies shortly after the game.

Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Dunham each added 10 points for the Panthers.

Though Northern Iowa headed into the home stretch as a near-lock for the NCAA tournament, a recent 2-2 skid raised mild alarms in Cedar Falls.

The Panthers lost at Bradley 68-59 on Feb. 13, hours before Eglseder was arrested. They bounced back with a win over Creighton to clinch the Valley title and a victory over Old Dominion solidified their postseason resume, all while their big man sat out. But on Tuesday they suffered an inexplicable 55-54 loss at Evansville — the last-place team in the Valley.

Though that loss could cost Northern Iowa its spot in the Top 25, the win over the Redbirds — and Eglseder’s play — should ease any doubts about their NCAA at-large viability.

The Panthers won’t have to worry, though, if they can repeat as conference tournament champions. They’ll be the top seed and open play in St. Louis on Friday.

Illinois State, on the other hand, had played better than anyone else in the league since the beginning of February. The Redbirds likely won’t reach the NCAA tournament without winning out next weekend in St. Louis, thanks to an RPI of 78 entering Saturday, but their recent play suggests they’re strong enough to set up a possible rematch of last season’s tournament title.

Northern Iowa robbed Illinois State of a Big Dance bid in that one, beating the Redbirds in overtime 60-57.