NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — Boden Skunberg scored 20 points to lead Illinois State to a 59-54 victory over Northern Iowa in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Redbird Arena.

The Redbirds (14-6) led 24-16 at halftime and held off a second-half push from the Panthers (12-8). Ben Schwieger led Northern Iowa with 15 points. Illinois State shot 16 for 18 from the free-throw line, while Northern Iowa struggled from the field, making just 3 of 18 three-point attempts. An announced crowd of 4,312 watched the Redbirds improve their home record.