Photos: Northern Iowa wins Missouri Valley Conference championship 84-69
Northern Iowa won the Missouri Valley Conference championship 84-69, defeating Illinois Chicago 84-69 at Enterprise Center in ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ on Sunday, March 8, 2026.Ìý
Northern Iowa celebrates its 84-69 win in the Missouri Valley Conference championship against Illinois-Chicago on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Enterprise Center. Northern Iowa is now headed to the NCAA tournament.
Northern Iowa guard Trey Campbell, left, tosses the ball in the air and celebrates as the final buzzer sounds securing an 84-69 victory in the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa head coach Ben Jacobson celebrates after his team won the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa forward Tristan Smith dives for control of a loose ball as Illinois-Chicago guard Mekhi Lowery collects it in the first half of the Missouri Valley Conference championship gameÌýSunday, March 8, 2026, at Enterprise Center.
Northern Iowa guard RJ Taylor tries to stop Illinois Chicago guard Elijah Crawford on his drive to the hoop during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa guard Leon Bond III dunks the ball on a break away late into the he second half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa guard Trey Campbell celebrates as Northern Iowa jumps out to an early lead in the first half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Illinois Chicago forward Abdul Momoh, left, defends as Northern Iowa guard Leon Bond III goes up for a shot in the second half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Illinois Chicago guard Elijah Crawford has his shot altered by Northern Iowa forward Will Hornseth during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Illinois Chicago guard Ahmad Henderson II, left, Northern Iowa forward Tristan Smith during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa guard Ben Schwieger has his shot blocked by Illinois Chicago forward Abdul Momoh, left, and Illinois Chicago guard Rashund Washington Jr. in the second half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa forward Will Hornseth makes a pass as he dives in the second half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa guard Ben Schwieger pulls down a rebound during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa fans celebrate after a three pointer extended their team’s lead late in the second half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Illinois-Chicago guard Elijah Crawford is surrounded by Northern Iowa defenders as he drives to the basket in the first half of the Missouri Valley Conference championship game Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Enterprise Center.
Northern Iowa guard Ben Schwieger leaps to defend as Illinois Chicago guard Andy Johnson shoots a three pointer in the first half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Illinois Chicago guard Mekhi Lowery defends as Northern Iowa forward Tristan Smith drives to the hoop in the second half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa guard Trey Campbell runs with Illinois Chicago guard Elijah Crawford as he drives to the basket in the first half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa guard Trey Campbell dribbles away from Illinois Chicago guard Ahmad Henderson II as he tries to poke the ball away in the first half during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa head coach Ben Jacobson celebrates after he cut down the final piece of net from the hoop after his team won 84-69 in the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Illinois Chicago head mens basketball coach Robert Ehsan watches the action on the floor during the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Northern Iowa forward Will Hornseth is congratulated by his teammates as he is introduced before the start of the Missouri Valley Conference championship between Illinois Chicago and Northern Iowa at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
David Carson | Post-Dispatch
Photographer
"Long four daysÌý—Ìýbut really worth it," Northern Iowa senior Trey CampbellÌýsaid.
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UNI is headed to the NCAA Tournament. Here's why the Panthers looked primed to upset an opponent.Ìý
