Northern Iowa 69, Kansas 67: Farokhmanesh Comes Up Big To Shock Kansas

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Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - Ali Farokhmanesh scored 16 points, including a critical three-pointer in the waning moments, and Northern Iowa stunned No. 1 overall seed Kansas, 69-67, in the second round of the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament.

Jordan Eglseder had 14 points and five rebounds for the ninth-seeded Panthers (30-4), who will make their first appearance in the Sweet 16.

Marcus Morris scored 16 points to pace the Jayhawks (33-3).

This is Kansas’ earliest exit at the NCAA Tournament since 2006 when the Jayhawks lost to Bradley in the first round. The defeat was a shocker, considering the Jayhawks were not only the top overall seed, but they were trying to win the national title for the second time in three years. In 2008, they beat Memphis for the championship, and last year Kansas fell to Michigan State in the Sweet 16.

Before this Cinderella run, the Panthers lost in the first round their previous four times in the tournament. Prior to 2010, the only win Northern Iowa had at the NCAA’s was in 1990 against Missouri. Northern Iowa beat UNLV in the first round on Thursday, when Farokhmanesh played hero with a deep three-pointer with 4.9 seconds remaining.