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Wes Washpun, UNI earn spotlight with tournament return

Wes Washpun’s shot belongs in a scrapbook of March memories.

What people may gloss over is Northern Iowa’s co-dominance of Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball, alongside a more highly touted Wichita State.

The Panthers (22-12) clinched their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 years — more than any other Valley program during that span — by winning the league’s postseason title Sunday on Washpun’s buzzer-beating jumper.

“It’s been like a dream,” the senior point guard said Monday. “It’s surreal.”

Washpun released the ball with less than 2 seconds remaining against Evansville in the Valley final.