Northern Iowa shoots 62 percent, beats Drake 82-66

Feb 6, 2016, 04:15 pm

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Paul Jesperson made five 3-pointers and scored 21 points as Northern Iowa shot 62 percent from the field and beat Drake 82-66 on Saturday for its fourth straight win.

Wes Washpun added 15 points and six assists for the Panthers (14-11, 6-6 Missouri Valley), who have won nine of their last ten. Northern Iowa made 34 of 55 field goals, including 12 of 22 from 3-point range, and finished with five in double figures.

Reed Timmer had 18 points for Drake (6-18, 1-11).

The Panthers led 25-23 with seven minutes left before the break, and used a 16-5 run to push it to 41-28 at halftime.

Timmer made three straight free throws to pull the Bulldogs to 56-45 with 11:30 remaining. Jesperson scored five points and Washpun added four as part of a 16-4 spurt and the Panthers led 72-49 with 5:45 left.