TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Indiana State men's basketball fell to Northern Iowa, 81-60, Thursday night at the Hulman Center.
 
Ian Scott led the Sycamores with 14 points, followed by Markus Harding with 13, Bruno Alocen with nine, and Sterling Young with eight. Scott also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, while Camp Wagner and Enel St. Bernard added six apiece. Xavier Hall tied for the game-high in assists with four, and Scott tied for a game-high three steals.
 
The teams traded baskets in the opening minutes and were tied at five before Indiana State used a 10-4 run to create separation. Harding scored five during the stretch, while Scott and Alocen combined for the other five points. With shots falling on both ends, the Sycamores held a 20-13 advantage heading into the media timeout with 12:39 on the clock.
 
UNI responded with a 12-7 run to cut the deficit to two with 8:15 left in the first half. The pace slowed briefly as both teams matched each other possession for possession. The Panthers eventually claimed their first lead of the night with a seven-point surge to go up five with just under two minutes on the clock. Young answered with a timely three-point shot to trim the margin to two entering halftime, keeping the Sycamores within striking distance at a 36-34 deficit.
 
Out of the break, UNI established momentum with a 10-4 run over the first four minutes of the second half. Alocen stopped the momentum at the line with two free throws, sparking a 10-3 run for Indiana State. Scott finished the stretch with a three-point play to bring the Sycamores within one with 11:20 remaining, while Alocen and Young each knocked down key shots during the run.
 
The game remained tight as both teams exchanged baskets, bringing the score to 55-54 in favor of UNI with 8:36 remaining. From there, the Panthers gained control. UNI strung together an 11-3 run to create separation and closed the contest on a 15-3 surge, with each of those late baskets coming from beyond the three-point line. The late shooting display secured the 81-60 victory for the Panthers.
 
Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law


News and Notes

• For the first time since January 27, 2026, at UIC, the Sycamores' opponent had fewer than 30 rebounds, with 26 tonight
• With just three offensive rebounds for the Panthers, this is the second-fewest allowed by the Sycamores' defense
• With just six free throws today, this is the third-fewest free throws attempted against the Sycamores this season
• For the 10th time this season:
  • The Sycamores allowed 80+ points
  • Had an opponent shoot 50% or better from the field
• This season, the Sycamores are 3-12 when trailing at half
• Shooting 56.9% from the field and 48.1% from three, this is the best shooting percentage against the Sycamores
• Following the Northern Iowa game, INS is 8-1 when giving up 73 points or less and 2-17 when allowing 74+ points
• Ian Scott led the Sycamores in points for the 10th time this season
  • Scott had 14 points, going 5-for-7 from the field, 1-for-1 from three, grabbed seven boards, three steals, and recorded a block
  • Markus Harding was the only other Sycamore to record double-digit points, scoring 13 points on 6-for-9 from the field and grabbing five rebounds

 
Up Next
Indiana State heads down to Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday, February 21 to take on Belmont. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
 
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