GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Northern Iowa never cooled down as the hot-shooting Panthers knocked off North Dakota 97-51 in non-conference action Saturday at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. UNI (4-1) won its fourth straight and shot 61 percent from the field and 63 percent from beyond the arc as the visitors never trailed after opening the game on a 10-3 run.

UNI forward Paul Jesperson led all scorers with 18 points and was one of five Panthers to finish in double figures, while UND (2-4) was led by Quinton Hooker, who finished with 14 points. It was the sixth-straight double figure game to start the season for Hooker.

Unfortunately, the home team could never find a rhythm in this one, while the visitors scorched the nets throughout. Jesperson hit four 3-pointers in the first half as the Panthers knocked down of 9-of-13 from deep in the opening 20 minutes to build a 54-20 lead at the break.

UNI would finish the game 12-for-19 from distance, while holding UND to just a 25 percent clip from 3-point range (6-for-24). The Panthers also held a 43-33 edge on the glass as both teams turned it over nine times in the contest.

All 10 players in UNI's lineup scored at least five points and reigning National Player of the Week Wes Washpun finished with 10 poitns and had seven of his game-high eight assists in the first half.

It was the seventh straight win for UNI over UND at the Division I level as both head coaches in this one went up against their alma maters. UNI head coach Ben Jacobson won his 201st career game after reaching the 200-win milestone on Wednesday against Dubuque.

UND will return to action on Tuesday against Waldorf in a contest that is slated to start at 7 p.m.

-- UND --