Northern Iowa wins MVC Tournament, earns first NCAA berth since 2016

Trey Campbell scores 23 points with six 3-pointers to lead the Panthers to victory

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Northern Iowa Panthers defeated the UIC Flames 84-69 to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Trey Campbell led the way for UNI with 23 points, including six 3-pointers, as the sixth-seeded Panthers became the lowest seed to ever win the MVC Tournament.

Why it matters

Northern Iowa’s victory marks their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016, ending a six-year drought. The Panthers’ run as the lowest seed to win the MVC Tournament is an impressive accomplishment, showcasing the team’s resilience and ability to overcome the odds.

The details

The Panthers shot an impressive 63% from the field and 12-of-23 from 3-point range. In addition to Campbell’s big game, Ben Schwieger scored 18 points and Will Hornseth and Leon Bond each added 10. UIC’s Elijah Crawford led all scorers with 28 points, but the Flames couldn’t overcome UNI’s hot shooting.

  • The MVC Tournament 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 the Northern Iowa Panthers, scoring 23 points with six 3-pointers in the MVC Tournament final.

Ben Schwieger

A Northern Iowa player who scored 18 points and made three 3-pointers in the championship game.

Elijah Crawford

The leading scorer for the UIC Flames, with 28 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

Northern Iowa’s MVC Tournament championship and first NCAA Tournament berth since 2016 is a remarkable achievement, showcasing the team’s resilience and ability to overcome the odds as the lowest seed to ever win the conference tournament.