Northern Iowa Shocks Heavily Favored No. 1 Seed Kansas

Oklahoma City, OK, United States (AHN) – The Northern Iowa Panthers pulled the NCAA Tournament’s biggest upset of the year so far as they knocked off the top overall seed Kansas Jayhawks, 69-67 Saturday.

The ninth seed Panthers started the game fast, going on a 10-2 run. The Panthers kept the pressure on through out the first half, leading for all but 56 seconds. They went into the half holding a 36-28 lead.

The Jayhawks were kept at bay through the early minutes of the second half as Northern Iowa built a 47-35 lead with less than 10 minutes left. Kansas gained momentum back from the Missouri Valley Conference champions, playing a stiff defensive game that allowed the Jayhawks to get back within three.

After a pair of free throws by Marcus Morris and a Sherron Collins jump shot, Kansas was within one with less than 45 second to go. But Northern Iowa’s Ali Farokhmanesh answered back, nailing a 3-pointer that would be the dagger in the Jayhawk’s hearts.

Farokhmanesh led the Panthers with 16 points. Jordan Eglseder added 14 with five rebounds and Jake Koch came off the bench to score 10.

Kansas was led by Morris, who scored 16. Cole Aldrich had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Collins had a down night, scoring only 10 and going 4-of-15 from the field.

The Panthers used key opportunities to pick up the win. The Jayhakws were forced to commit 15 turnovers to Northern Iowa’s nine.

The Panthers become the first team to knock off a No. 1 in the second round since the 2004 tournament when UAB knocked off Kentucky and Alabama knocked off Stanford.

Northern Iowa will meet the winner of the Michigan State-Maryland winner in the Sweet 16.

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