Cedar Falls, Iowa — In an impressive display of skill, sophomore Leon Bond III achieved a personal best by scoring 37 points, guiding Northern Iowa to a commanding 104-76 victory over Montana on Monday evening.

Bond showcased his shooting prowess, hitting 12 of 15 attempts from the field, sinking 4 of 5 shots from beyond the arc, and remaining perfect from the charity stripe at 9 for 9. His exceptional performance played a crucial role in the Panthers’ success, bringing their record to 7-4. Jacob Hutson contributed significantly as well, adding 24 points with 11 baskets out of 15 attempts. Tytan Anderson also played a key role, contributing 13 points with an efficient shooting mark of 6 for 8, though he struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 1 of 4 attempts.

For the Grizzlies, who now hold a record of 7-5, Kai Johnson led the team with 18 points. Money Williams provided solid support, scoring 15 points, while Malik Moore added 14 to the tally.

The Panthers took control of the game with 12:53 left in the first half, never relinquishing their advantage afterward. Bond’s strong first half, where he scored 17 points, propelled Northern Iowa to a comfortable 48-34 lead at halftime. In the second half, the team went on a dominant 11-0 run that increased their lead from 23 to an impressive 34 points, further sealing their victory.