CEDAR FALLS — Spencer Haldeman scored 15 points, making all three of his 3-point tries, and Northern Iowa held off Missouri State 64-59 on Saturday night.

Although there were five ties and 10 lead changes, Northern Iowa held a slight lead throughout much of the game. Haldeman gave UNI a little breathing room, making a 3-pointer for a 57-53 lead with 1:44 remaining. Tulio Da Silva made two free throws for Missouri State with 1:15 to go.

Haldeman added two free throws to make the lead four points again, Missouri State turned the ball over and UNI had possession with 58 seconds to go. Tywhon Pickford made a layup and, at 61-55, the Panthers had the biggest lead for either team since midway through the first half. Pickford later added 3 of 4 free throws and the Panthers held on.

Luke McDonnell had 12 points and five assists and Isaiah Brown added 12 points for Northern Iowa (10-13, 5-5 Missouri Valley).

Da Silva scored 17 points and Keandre Cook had 15 points for Missouri State (11-12, 5-5).

UNI 64, MISSOURI ST. 59

At Cedar Falls

MISSOURI ST. (11-12) — Da Silva 4-8 8-10 17, Kreklow 2-4 2-2 7, J.Dixon 3-6 0-1 7, Webster 4-9 0-0 9, Cook 5-11 3-4 15, Ridder 0-1 0-0 0, Mohammed 1-2 0-0 2, Scott 1-1 0-0 2. TOTALS 20-42 13-17 59.

N. IOWA (10-13) – McDonnell 4-9 3-3 12, Green 3-6 2-2 8, Berhow 0-1 1-2 1, Lohaus 2-5 0-0 5, I.Brown 5-9 2-2 12, Dahl 2-2 0-0 4, Haldeman 4-5 4-5 15, Pickford 2-5 3-4 7. TOTALS 22-42 15-18 64.

Halftime–UNI 28-27. 3-Point Goals–Missouri St. 6-17 (Cook 2-6, J.Dixon 1-2, Webster 1-2, Da Silva 1-2, Kreklow 1-3, Ridder 0-1, Mohammed 0-1), UNI 5-9 (Haldeman 3-3, Lohaus 1-2, McDonnell 1-2, Green 0-1, I.Brown 0-1). Fouled Out–Kreklow. Rebounds–Missouri St. 21 (Da Silva, Cook 5), UNI 20 (Berhow, Pickford 4). Assists–Missouri St. 10 (Webster 6), UNI 9 (McDonnell 5). Total Fouls–Missouri St. 18, UNI 15.