CEDAR FALLS (AP) — Deon Mitchell and Paul Jesperson each scored 13 points and Northern Iowa pulled away in the second half to beat Morgan State 73-53 on Thursday night.
Seth Tuttle and Wes Washpun added 12 points apiece and Jeremy Morgan 11 in the game that was part of the Cancun Challenge.
Blake Bozeman was the only Morgan State player in double figures with 19 points. The Bears (0-3) shot just 33.9 percent while Northern Iowa was at 55.3 percent. The Panthers (3-0) made 24-of 34-free throws.
The Bears closed the first half with a 7-2 run to lead 30-29. Northern Iowa scored the first six points of the second half to go up 35-30.
The Bears got within three before the Panthers continued to extend their lead. An 8-0 run by Northern Iowa left the Panthers leading 58-45 with 7:06 left. The lead would reach as many 22 points.