Northern Iowa wins MVC Tournament, earns 1st NCAA berth since 2016

Trey Campbell's 23 points, including 6 3-pointers, lead Panthers to victory over UIC

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Trey Campbell scored 23 points, including six 3-pointers, to lead Northern Iowa to an 84-69 victory over UIC in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game on Sunday. The win gives the Panthers their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2016.

Why it matters

Northern Iowa's victory marks the first time the sixth-seeded Panthers have won the MVC Tournament, becoming the lowest seed to ever do so. The win also ends UNI's NCAA Tournament drought, which dated back to 2016, and secures their ninth overall NCAA Tournament appearance.

The details

Campbell was 8-of-13 shooting, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range, to lead the Panthers. Ben Schwieger added 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting with three 3-pointers. UNI shot 63% from the field and 12-of-23 from beyond the arc as a team. Elijah Crawford scored a game-high 28 points for UIC in the losing effort.

  • The championship game was played on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
  • Northern Iowa's last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2016.

The players

Trey Campbell

A key player for Northern Iowa, scoring 23 points with six 3-pointers in the MVC Tournament final.

Ben Schwieger

Scored 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting with three 3-pointers for Northern Iowa.

Elijah Crawford

Led UIC with a game-high 28 points in the losing effort.

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What’s next

Northern Iowa will now await their NCAA Tournament seeding and opponent, which will be announced on Selection Sunday.

The takeaway

Northern Iowa's victory in the MVC Tournament final not only secures their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2016, but also marks the first time the sixth-seeded Panthers have won the conference tournament, becoming the lowest seed to ever accomplish the feat.