Northern Iowa shot 61.8 percent (34-of-55) from the field, including 50 percent (12-of-24) from three as the Panthers topped the Northern Illinois University men’s basketball team, 101-57, on Saturday evening (Dec. 7) at the McLeod Center.

Joe Munden Jr. (Harlem, N.Y./Monsignor Scanlan) scored a season-high 14 points to lead the way for the Huskies. Quentin Jones (Chicago, Ill./Marian Catholic) added 13 points while Kailon Nicholls (Toronto, Ontario/Hargrave Military Academy) added 12 points off the bench.

“We got quality shots in the first six minutes, we didn’t make them, (Northern Iowa) did,” said NIU head coach Rashon Burno. “We did a poor job of defending, with the different lineups, having guys in and out and the injuries. I thought the offense got stagnant after the first 4-5 minutes when the ball didn’t go in the hole.”

After Munden made a pair of free throws to open the contest, Northern Iowa scored the next 16 as the NIU (3-7) went cold from the field.

UNI (5-4) took a 56-28 lead into the intermission.

The Huskies finished the opening 20 minutes 7-of-25 (25.9 percent) from the floor, including 2-of-15 (13.3 percent) from three, while Northern Iowa was 60 percent (18-of-30), including 53.3 percent (8-of-15) from three-point range. Jones had nine points to pace the Huskies in the opening half, Ben Schwieger had 15 points and Jacob Hutson netted 12 to lead the hosts.

In the second half, Northern Iowa shot 64 percent (16-of-25) from the field as it continued to increase its advantage.

Four players finished in double figures for the Panthers, led by 22 points from Hutson. Schwieger finished with 20 points, Tytan Anderson scored 15 and Trey Campbell added 13 points.

Northern Iowa outrebounded NIU, 46-22, and recorded 21 assists on its 34 made field goals. The Panthers outscored the Huskies in the paint, 36-20.

Following a break for finals, the Huskies will return to action when they head to Normal to face Illinois State on Wednesday, Dec. 18.