Experienced Panthers eager to carry momentum forward
Posted March 19, 2016 7:00 am
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Northern Iowa took center stage at the NCAA Tournament late Friday night when Paul Jesperson's buzzer-beating shot from half court ousted Texas in the opening round.
Now the 11th-seeded Panthers (23-12) must quickly regroup if they hope to reach the Sweet 16 for the second time in school history when they face third-seeded Texas A&M on Sunday night.
Northern Iowa enters the second round having won 13 of its last 14 games since falling to 10-11 after four straight losses in January.
Awaiting the Panthers are the Aggies (27-8), who defeated Green Bay in the opening round and have won nine of their last 10 games.
Northern Iowa celebrates after defeating Texas with a last-second shot by guard Paul Jesperson during a first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 18, 2016. Northern Iowa won 75-72. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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Northern Iowa guard Paul Jesperson, center, is congratulated by teammates after hitting the game-winning shot against Texas in a first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. Northern Iowa won 75-72. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Northern Iowa guard Paul Jesperson shoots a buzzer-beater to win the game for Northern Iowa against Texas in first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. Northern Iowa won 75-72. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Northern Iowa guard Paul Jesperson gestures to fans after hitting the game-winning shot against Texas in a first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. Texas guard Isaiah Taylor is at right. Northern Iowa won 75-72.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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A fan celebrates after Northern Iowa defeated Texas during a first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 18, 2016. Northern Iowa won 75-72. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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Northern Iowa guard Wes Washpun celebrates after Northern Iowa defeated Texas 75-72 during a first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Oklahoma City, Friday, March 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson, right, and players cheer from the bench during the second half of a first-round men's college basketball game against Texas in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. Northern Iowa won 75-72. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Northern Iowa's Klint Carlson, Wes Washpun, and Bennett Koch celebrate with teammates after a 75-72 win over Texas in a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA men's tournament Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
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Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson hugs Paul Jesperson after the team's 75-72 win over Texas in a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA men's tournament in Oklahoma City on Friday, March 18, 2016. Jesperson hit a half-court shot as time expired to win the game. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
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Northern Iowa guard Paul Jesperson, center, drives between Texas guard Tevin Mack (0) and center Prince Ibeh during the first half of a first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. Northern Iowa won 75-72. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Texas A&M guard Alex Caruso (21) cheers on the bench in the second half of a first-round men's college basketball game against Green Bay in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Texas A&M head coach Bill Kennedy gestures on the bench in the second half of a first-round men's college basketball game against Green Bay in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Texas A&M forward D.J. Hogg (1) knocks the ball away from Green Bay guard Khalil Small (3) as Small is fouled by guard Anthony Collins (11) in the second half of a first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Texas A&M guard Danuel House, center, dunks in front of Green Bay forward Kenneth Lowe, left, and guard Carrington Love, right, in the second half of a first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
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Texas A&M guard Admon Gilder (3) shoots between Green Bay guard Charles Cooper (34) and guard Khalil Small (3) in the second half of a first-round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 18, 2016, in Oklahoma City. Texas A&M won 92-65. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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