× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

CEDAR FALLS | Ben Jacobson says his University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team has "bought in."

It's partly because of changes he has made, and partly because the players have done it themselves.

Specifically, the Panthers have bought in to the effort and technique Jacobson wants on the defensive end of the floor. That was on full display in the first half of Sunday's 55-50 victory over Richmond at the McLeod Center. The Spiders scored just 15 first-half points as UNI forged a 30-15 lead and held on for the win.

"I'm going to have to look pretty hard to find one or two errors," Jacobson said. "It seemed like we were helping, rebounding well. That first half was our best defensive effort, and we're coming off two good ones."

A year ago, UNI gave up 69.3 points per game -- by far the most in Jacobson's eight seasons as head coach. This year, the Panthers have allowed more than 54 points just once.

"I made the mistake last year of not putting enough time in on our defense. That was on me. I told our guys that," Jacobson added. "We have gone back and spent a lot of time on our defense. All the way down, one-on-one building it to five-on-five. It's important not that I talk about it, but that we do it."