UNI's Jordan Eglseder arrested for drunk driving

Northern Iowa's season couldn't have been going much better.

Heading into Saturday's game at Bradley, the Panthers were 22-2 on the season and 13-1 in the Valley. A win, and UNI would clinch their first outright MVC title.

The Braves had other ideas. After trailing 32-23 at the break, Bradley turned up the defense, going on an 11-0 run to open the half as Northern Iowa missed their 10 of their first 11 shots from the floor. Andrew Warren would score all of his 15 points in the second half as the Braves held Jordan Eglseder without a second half field goal in outscoring the Panthers 45-27 over the final 20 minutes.

Jordan Eglseder is not a small person.
(photo credit: Wash Post)

But that wasn't their worst loss on Saturday.

Eglseder, the Panther's seven foot center that is second on the team in scoring, first in rebounding, and is the anchor inside offensively as not many Valley teams can matchup with the big fella, was nabbed for drunk driving early Sunday morning. He will be suspended for three games.

"Jordan used extremely poor judgment and as a result has let down himself, his teammates, his fellow students, as well as our alumni and fans," Panthers coach Ben Jacobson said in the press release. "I am highly disappointed in Jordan and his actions."

Eglseder will miss home games against Creighton and Old Dominion in a bracketbuster's matchup before a roadie against Evansville.

The loss to Bradley probably won't have much of an effect on UNI's bid to win the MVC outright. They need just one win to clinch, and even without their center, the Panthers at the very least should be able to handle Evansville, who is 1-14 in the league.

But it will put a crimp into the Panther's hope for an at-large bid.

UNI does not have a lot of great wins this season. They've only played one team in the RPI top 50, a win over Siena, and have won 15 games against teams with an RPI outside of the top 100. They cannot afford another loss is they want some tournament security on the chance they get upset in the MVC Tournament.

That will be all the more difficult playing without Eglseder.

"I made a regretful decision last night," Eglseder said in the press release. "I want to apologize to my teammates as well as everyone who supports our basketball program. In particular, our student body, our fans and the University. I deeply regret my actions."