NORMAL, Ill.(AP) Osiris Eldridge scored 13 points to lead Illinois State to a 51-46 win over Northern Iowa on Tuesday night.
Illinois State (12-3, 4-0 Missouri Valley) held on to win despite just one field goal in the final 13 minutes.
Both teams struggled shooting, with the score tied 9-9 after eight minutes. The Redbirds then went on a 27-10 run and led 36-19 at the break.
The second half also started at a slow pace, with Illinois State going 4-for-12 and Northern Iowa (10-5, 2-2) 2-for-10 from the field.
The Panthers climbed back into the contest with a 22-3 run to pull to 47-46. But free-throws by Levi Dyer, Dinma Odiakosa and Eldridge iced the game.
Adam Koch led Northern Iowa with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jared Josten added 10 points for the Panthers.
