SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Adam Koch scored 30 points, including 18 of 20 free-throw attempts, to lead Northern Iowa to a 78-69 win over Missouri State on Sunday.
Northern Iowa (14-6, 8-1 Missouri Valley) took the lead for good when it closed the first half with a 12-0 run to go ahead 36-25 at halftime. Koch scored 10 of Northern Iowa's first 12 points in the second half to push the Panthers' lead to 48-35 with 12:32 left.
A basket by Wade Knapp with 11:38 left got Missouri State (9-11, 2-7) to within 48-39, but a slam dunk on the next play by Northern Iowa's Jordan Eglseder gave the Panthers' their double-digit lead again.
Northern Iowa hit 30 of 36 free throws to 9 of 18 for Missouri State.
Kwadzo Ahelegbe scored 12 for Northern Iowa. Cardell McFarland led Missouri State with 13 points. Spencer Laurie and Kyle Weems each had 12 and Ryan Jehle added 11.