Northern Iowa caps big season with NCAA game against Wyoming

SEATTLE (AP) Northern Iowa capped one of its best seasons by getting a No. 5 seed in the East Regional and an opening game against Wyoming in the NCAA

SEATTLE (AP) Northern Iowa capped one of its best seasons by getting a No. 5 seed in the East Regional and an opening game against Wyoming in the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Seattle.

The Panthers (30-3) tied their school record for victories by beating Illinois State 69-60 for their fourth Missouri Valley Tournament title. They overcame an 18-point deficit to pull it off.

Northern Iowa is 3-6 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to a regional semifinal before losing to Michigan State in 2010 for its best showing.

Wyoming (25-9) is in the tournament for the first time since 2002. The Cowboys upset San Diego State 45-43 in the Mountain West Tournament title game to get the automatic berth. They beat Gonzaga in the opening round of the 2002 tournament.