CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Interstat) — Illinois State survived a furious second-half rally by Northern Iowa to secure a 71-69 victory in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at McLeod Center.

The Redbirds built a 28-23 halftime lead and extended it before the Panthers surged after intermission. Northern Iowa outscored Illinois State 46-43 in the second half but fell just short. Johnny Kinziger and Boden Skunberg each scored 14 points to lead Illinois State. Chase Walker added 13 points and five assists.

Northern Iowa was led by 13-point performances from Ben Schwieger, Trey Campbell and Will Hornseth. Campbell also had five assists. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Panthers. Attendance was 3,907. Illinois State improved to 19-11 overall. Northern Iowa fell to 18-12.