Panthers upend SIU

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Matt Schneiderman and David Gruber scored 16 points each, leading Northern Iowa to a 68-52 victory Monday night that ruined 15th-ranked Southern Illinois' bid to finish unbeaten in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Northern Iowa (18-9, 12-6) was the sharper team from the start in the regular-season finale and never trailed. The Panthers took a 12-point halftime lead, held off Southern Illinois' only run after the break and led by as many as 21 in their third victory this season over a top-25 team.

Southern Illinois (24-3, 17-1) never got untracked offensively and failed to become the first MVC team to go unbeaten in the league since Bradley in 1985-86. The Salukis shot 34 percent, were outrebounded 42-37 and generally were outhustled.

Northern Iowa, which beat Iowa and Creighton when they were ranked, pulled its latest upset without guard Chris Foster, who tore a ligament in his right knee on Sunday. But the combination of Schneiderman and Gruber more than made up for his absence.

Schneiderman made four 3-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds. The right-handed Gruber, playing with a wrap on his broken left hand, scored in close and had nine rebounds.

Darren Brooks, Jamaal Tatum and LaMar Owen led Southern Illinois with 10 points each.