Singleton leads N Iowa over SF Austin 79-77 in OT

Nov 18, 2014, 12:36 pm

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Paul Jesperson's putback with 39.7 seconds left in overtime gave Northern Iowa a 79-77 win over Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday that snapped the Lumberjacks' 34-game home winning streak.

Five players scored in double figures for the Panthers (2-0), led by 15 from Marvin Singleton. Northern Iowa had to rally from 8 points down in the second half to force overtime on Deon Mitchell's 3-point play with 50.8 seconds left to knot the score at 70-70.

After Jesperson's bucket, Thomas Walkup missed a 3-pointer for the Lumberjacks (1-1) and Wes Washpun was fouled with 10.7 seconds left. He missed the second free throw and the home team raced down the floor, only for Demetrious Floyd's floater in the lane to hit the back of the rim and bounce out.

Walkup and Floyd led the Lumberjacks with 20 points each, though Stephen F. Austin hoisted 27 3-point attempts and made only 10. Northern Iowa hit 5 of 12 shots from long range -- including 4 of 5 in the second half.