UNI To Play For MVC Tourney Title, NCAA Berth

The UNI Panthers are in position to repeat as Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champions.

The fourth-seeded Panthers (21-12) are advancing to the title game in St. Louis for a second-straight year after upsetting tournament top-seed Wichita State (24-8) in the semifinals. UNI beat the 23rd-ranked Shockers, 57-52. in overtime Saturday afternoon (March 5, 2016).

Trailing 52-51 with two minutes remaining in the extra period, the Panthers tied the game on a free throw by Jeremy Morgan, who then drained the go-ahead 3-pointer moments later. Following a Wichita State turnover, Wes Washpun hit a jumper to extend the lead to five with 18 second left. The Shockers couldn't come back.

UNI's Klint Carlson grabbed the rebound on Wichita State's missed 3-pointer at the other end to seal the win.

The Panthers trailed most of the game but stayed close and forced overtime with Wyatt Lohaus' layup to tie it at 47 at the end of regulation.

Wes Washpun scored 20 points to lead UNI to its 12th victory in 13 games. Anton Grady led Wichita State with 14 points and Ron Baker followed with 12.

UP NEXT: The Panthers will play for the MVC Tournament championship at 1 p.m. Sunday, a game that will be televised by CBS. UNI will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a win.