The Northern Iowa men’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance on Monday night, securing a dominant 104-76 victory over the Montana Grizzlies in their final home game of the non-conference schedule. The Panthers showcased offensive brilliance, shooting a season-best 69% from the field, as they extended their winning streak to four games.
Leon Bond III stole the spotlight with a career-high 37 points, leading UNI to its second 100-point game of the season—a feat the program had not accomplished multiple times in a single campaign since 1989-90. This win also marked the Panthers’ third consecutive victory by a margin of 20 or more points, emphasizing their efficiency and control on the court.
Etruesports celebrates the outstanding individual performance of Bond, who has solidified himself as one of the premier players in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) this season, and the collective dominance of the Panthers.
How UNI Took Control of the Game
Montana started strong, jumping out to an early 6-0 lead, but UNI quickly responded with an offensive surge led by Bond and Jacob Hutson. The Panthers shot a staggering 70.4% from the field in the first half, including an impressive 53.6% from three-point range.
A pivotal 9-0 run, highlighted by a deep three-pointer from Max Weisbrod, gave UNI a 15-11 lead. Bond’s hot hand was evident early, as he tallied 17 points in the first half on 6-of-8 shooting, including three three-pointers. Hutson also made his presence felt, contributing 13 points, while Tytan Anderson added eight. By halftime, UNI had built a comfortable 48-34 lead.
The second half was more of the same as Bond continued to dominate, pouring in 20 additional points. The Panthers maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the period, with Hutson chipping in 11 more points. Weisbrod added six points, while Trey Campbell, Will Hornseth, and Anderson contributed key baskets to secure the win.
Leon Bond III (image via Getty)Leon Bond III’s Historic Career Night
Bond’s remarkable 37-point performance set new personal records for field goals made (12), three-pointers made (4), and free throws made (9). His scoring outburst was the highest by a UNI player since Bowen Born registered 31 points against Toledo last season and now ranks as the third-highest individual scoring effort in team history.
Etruesports recognizes Bond’s stellar achievement, as his 37 points also stand as the highest single-game scoring total by any MVC player this season. He was just one point shy of tying the school record for points in a home game, set by Jeremy Morgan (38) in 2016.
Notable Contributions and Team Highlights
While Bond’s performance was the highlight, several Panthers contributed significantly to the victory:
- Jacob Hutson recorded his third straight 20+ point game, finishing with a season-high 24 points and four assists.
- Tytan Anderson added 13 points and four rebounds.
- Trey Campbell chipped in 10 points and four assists.
- Max Weisbrod scored nine points, hitting three three-pointers.
- Will Hornseth provided five points off the bench.
The Panthers excelled not just offensively but also in ball security, committing only seven turnovers—a continuation of their streak of four consecutive games with ten or fewer turnovers.
Key Stats and Additional Notes
- UNI has now won three consecutive games by 20+ points for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
- Bond’s 37 points are the most by a UNI player since Bowen Born’s 31-point game last season.
- Under head coach Ben Jacobson, UNI has improved to 91-12 when scoring 80+ points in a game.
- The Panthers’ 104 points mark the 43rd time in program history they’ve reached the century mark, the first time achieving it multiple times in a season since 1989-90.
- UNI remains undefeated (7-0) this season when scoring 80 or more points.
Looking Ahead
UNI’s emphatic win over Montana sets the stage for an exciting stretch in their Missouri Valley Conference campaign. With Leon Bond III emerging as a dominant offensive force and the team firing on all cylinders, the Panthers are poised to make a serious impact in conference play.
Etruesports will continue to track UNI’s progress, celebrating both team achievements and individual milestones. The Panthers are a team to watch as they head into the heart of their season with confidence and momentum.
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