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With the game tied at 59, Missouri State basketball coach Cuonzo Martin called a timeout and started to draw up an offensive play, hoping to give his team a late lead.

Martin had a chance to knock off Northern Iowa, which had haunted the Bears at Great Southern Bank Arena since Ben Jacobson took over as the Panthers’ coach in 2006. The Bears had just climbed out of an eight-point hole and had an opportunity to win their second Missouri Valley Conference game of the season

As he drew up the play, an MVC official walked over to the Bears’ bench as Martin looked up in confusion. He was informed that in the previous play, Logan Epes had committed a flagrant foul, giving the Panthers two free throws and the ball with 2:28 left in the game.

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Northern Iowa made both its free throws and scored a layup on its extra possession. A quick four-point swing within six seconds helped put the game out of reach, and the Panthers escaped with a 66-61 victory on Wednesday night at Great Southern Bank Arena.

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“Both guys were going for the ball,” Martin, noting that he watched the replay before his press conference, said. “You call that both guys, or you don’t make a call at all. He was coming at full speed, so it’s not like Logan wrapped him up. He’s coming to the ball, trying to block out and I think he got tangled up.

“Those are good officials, but I’m not sure that was the right call.”

Upon reviewing the replay, Epes had a hold of Northern Iowa standout Tytan Anderson’s arm. Anderson attempted to jump up for the rebound but was pulled onto Epes’ back before hitting the floor. Jacobson could be seen in an official’s ear after the play developed.

Minutes later, after Martin called a timeout to draw up an offensive play, a Flagrant 1 was called on only Epes. Martin disagreed and recognized the swing in the game. It’s unknown if the play would have been reviewed if Martin had not called a timeout.

That was a tough, tight game with great momentum and great flow,” Martin said. “It’s tough. I’m not going to say the air went out of our guys, but that’s a tough pill to swallow when you fight so hard to get wins.”

Missouri State played the majority of the night in foul trouble. Michael Osei-Bonsu was limited throughout after picking up early fouls. Jalen Hampton, amid one of the best games he’s played in a Bears uniform, fouled out late. Anderson also fouled out for the Panthers.