CHICAGO — Northern Iowa would probably be just fine with not seeing Loyola of Chicago again this season.
The Ramblers had the Panthers’ number for the second time this season, hanging on for a 59-56 Missouri Valley Conference win at Gentile Arena to stop a six-game Northern Iowa win streak.
Loyola (13-14, 6-9 Missouri Valley) defeated Northern Iowa (16-12, 8-7) 51-41 at the McLeod Center on Jan. 16.
Northern Iowa was led by Paul Jesperson (16 points), Matt Bohannon (15 points) and Was Washpun (11 points, five assists, four steals).
Milton Doyle's 13 points paced the Ramblers, who stormed back from a seven-point second-half deficit and took a 55-54 lead on a conventional 3-point play with 45 seconds remaining.