Northern Iowa holds off Evansville for 54-52 win

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) Wes Washpun made four free throws down the stretch and blocked a shot with three seconds left to secure Northern Iowa's 54-52 win over Evansville on Saturday.

The win assures Northern Iowa (19-12, 11-7), which has won nine of its last ten games, the No. 4 seed in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Washpun had 14 points, five assists, three steals and three blocks. Klint Carlson added 10 points.

Northern Iowa held Evansville to just 16 points in the first half; the lowest UNI has held any opponent in the initial half this season.

Evansville, tied for second in the conference, rallied in the second period to close to 53-52 with 13 seconds remaining. Northern Iowa's Jeremy Morgan split a pair of free throws and the Purple Aces missed their last two shots.

D.J. Balentine led Evansville (23-8, 12-6) with 19 points. Egidiju Mockevicius added 14 with 16 rebounds.