CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) -Northern Iowa got 17 points from Ali Farohkmanesh and three late free throws by Kwadzo Ahelegbe to beat Illinois State 59-55 Wednesday for its ninth straight victory.
The Missouri Valley Conference-leading Panthers (15-6, 9-1) last won nine games in a row during the 1963-64 season when they were in Division II.
Ahelegbe finished with 13 points. He had two clutch free throws after Illinois State (17-4, 6-4) closed within 56-55 on a 3-pointer by Champ Oguchi with 19 seconds left and added another free throw with one second to play.
The game was tied for the last time at 46 with 7:30 remaining. The Panthers went up 53-48 and never trailed again.
Oguchi had a team-high 11 points and Lloyd Phillips and Dinma Odiakosa added 10 each for the Redbirds.
