CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) -- Kwadzo Ahelegbe scored 18 points, 15 in the second half, and No. 24 Northern Iowa hung on to beat Wichita State 59-56 on Wednesday night.

Jordan Eglseder added 15 points for the Panthers (20-2, 11-1), who avenged a 60-51 loss at Wichita State on Jan. 19 and took a commanding three-game lead atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings.

Wichita State (19-5, 8-4) buried consecutive 3-pointerss to pull within 58-56 with 1:54 left, then got the ball back on a Northern Iowa turnover with 31 seconds left. But Toure' Murry missed a 3 from the elbow, and Clevin Hannah's desperation heave bounced off the rim.

Murry had 17 points to lead Wichita State, which shot 10 of 17 from the free-throw line.

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