CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Interstat) — Leon Bond scored 26 points to lead Northern Iowa to a 75-63 men’s basketball victory over Oakland on Saturday at McLeod Center. The Panthers improved to 8-2 overall, while the Golden Grizzlies fell to 5-6. Northern Iowa never trailed after building a 38-30 halftime advantage. Bond, a 6-foot-5 guard from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, added two blocks in 37 minutes. Tristan Smith added 15 points for the Panthers. Brody Robinson and Isaac Garrett each scored 12 points to pace Oakland, which got 11 points from both Ziare Wells and Brett White. A crowd of 3,794 watched the game. Northern Iowa next plays at Illinois-Chicago on Wednesday. Oakland visits Northern Kentucky the same day.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Interstat) — Leon Bond scored 26 points and Northern Iowa capitalized on a cascade of Oakland turnovers to secure a 75-63 victory in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at McLeod Center. The Panthers, improving to 8-2, used a 12-2 run late in the first half to create separation they would never relinquish, turning 17 Oakland miscues into 12 points. Northern Iowa’s defensive pressure was the story, tallying 12 steals and five blocks while holding Oakland to an offensive rating of just 82.9 points per 100 possessions. Oakland’s Golden Grizzlies (5-6) opened the game with energy, taking an early 6-2 lead after a Ziare Wells dunk and a Brody Robinson hook shot. But Northern Iowa quickly settled in, with Bond and Tristan Smith establishing an inside presence. The game turned decisively in the final four minutes of the first half. With Oakland trailing 25-23, the Panthers unleashed their pivotal run. It started with Bond converting a layup while being fouled and making the ensuing free throw. After an Oakland miss, Trey Campbell drained a 3-pointer off an assist from Bond. Following a Golden Grizzlies turnover, Bond struck again with a layup, assisted by Ben Schwieger. Campbell then capped the surge with another 3-pointer, giving Northern Iowa a 36-25 advantage. The Panthers took a 38-30 lead into halftime, having closed the period on a 13-5 spurt. The second half saw Northern Iowa maintain firm control, never allowing Oakland within single digits after the 16:11 mark. Every time the Golden Grizzlies showed a flicker of momentum, the Panthers answered. When Oakland’s Isaac Garrett scored inside to make it 48-40, Bond immediately responded with a 3-pointer. Later, a Brett White triple for Oakland cut the deficit to 54-49, but Bond again silenced the threat with a mid-range jumper. Oakland was plagued by inefficiency and ball security issues all afternoon. The team shot just 39.7% from the field and a dismal 27.8% from 3-point range. Their six total assists against 17 turnovers underscored an offense that never found a consistent rhythm. Robinson led Oakland with 12 points and five assists, while Garrett and Wells each added 11 points. Northern Iowa, by contrast, shared the ball effectively, finishing with 12 assists on 26 made field goals. Smith was a force alongside Bond, contributing 15 points, three assists and two blocks. Campbell orchestrated the offense with 14 points and six assists, and Schwieger filled the stat sheet with six points, seven assists and four steals. The Panthers also dominated the defensive glass, limiting Oakland to just eight second-chance points despite an even battle on the offensive boards. Will Hornseth provided stout interior defense with nine points and a block. The game’s most important sequence was undoubtedly Northern Iowa’s closing first-half run, which transformed a tight contest into a comfortable lead. The Panthers’ ability to generate offense directly from their defense during that stretch—scoring off turnovers and in transition—proved insurmountable for an Oakland team struggling to execute. With the win, Northern Iowa rebounds from an overtime loss to Wichita State last week and continues a strong start to the season. Oakland, which had won three of its last four, sees its modest momentum halted ahead of a road game at Northern Kentucky. An announced crowd of 3,794 watched the game at McLeod Center.

Preview: Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Northern Iowa Panthers CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Interstat) — The Northern Iowa Panthers, looking to rebound from a tough overtime loss, will host the surging Oakland Golden Grizzlies in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at McLeod Center. Northern Iowa (7-2) saw a four-game win streak snapped last Saturday in a 74-69 overtime defeat to Wichita State. The Panthers have been strong defensively, holding opponents to an average of 60.2 points during their recent streak prior to that loss. Forward Will Hornseth has been a consistent contributor, coming off a 15-point, 4-assist effort in 35 minutes against the Shockers. Oakland (5-5) arrives with momentum, having won three straight games, including a dramatic 98-97 victory over Toledo last Saturday. The Golden Grizzlies’ offense has found its rhythm during the streak, averaging 98 points per game in those wins. A key matchup will feature emerging scorers for each side. For Oakland, guard Ziare Wells is coming off a season-high 21 points in 23 minutes against Toledo. For Northern Iowa, Hornseth has scored in double figures in five of his last seven appearances. The Panthers have been formidable at home this season, boasting a 4-0 record in Cedar Falls. Oakland, however, has shown resilience on the road, securing wins at Montana and Lamar during its current run. This game represents a final nonconference tune-up before both teams dive into their respective league schedules next week. Northern Iowa will open Missouri Valley Conference play after this, while Oakland will begin Horizon League action. Saturday’s contest tips off at 2 p.m. CST.