CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – Wes Washpun scored 21 points and Northern Iowa stunned top-ranked North Carolina 71-67 on Saturday for its first win over the nation’s No. 1 team.
The Panthers used a 29-8 stretch over 12 minutes of the second half to turn a 50-34 deficit into a 63-58 lead, and held on for the upset.
Northern Iowa also got 19 points from Matt Bohannon and 14 points from Paul Jesperson.
Justin Jackson had 25 points for the Tar Heels (3-1), who scheduled a trip to Cedar Falls so senior Marcus Paige could play in his home state.
Paige didn’t play because of a broken bone in his right hand. The Tar Heels could have used him, as Paige’s replacement, Joel Berry, had just five points on 2-of-7 shooting, and the Tar Heels committed 12 turnovers.