The top-seeded SMU Mustangs welcome the Northern Iowa Panthers to Dallas on Wednesday night for opening-round action in the National Invitational Tournament.

The teams meet for the third time this season. Northern Iowa won 73-61 in the last matchup on Feb. 14. Maya McDermott led Northern Iowa with 21 points, and Kendal Cheesman led Belmont with 30 points.

Missouri State has a 0-3 record in games decided by less than 4 points. The Panthers are 8-4 against MVC opponents. Northern Iowa ranks third in the MVC, shooting 37.5% from 3-point range.

Northern Iowa faces Missouri State in MVC play Wednesday. Wednesday's game will be the second meeting this season between the two teams.

Missouri State has a 6-7 record in games decided by 10 or more points. The Panthers are 8-4 in MVC play. Northern Iowa is ninth in the MVC with 29.7 rebounds per game led by Anderson averaging 6.5.

Missouri State takes on the Northern Iowa Panthers after Dez White scored 24 points in the Bears' 74-68 loss to the Illinois State Redbirds.

BOTTOM LINE: Missouri State takes on Northern Iowa after Dez White scored 24 points in Missouri State's 74-68 loss to the Illinois State Redbirds. The Panthers are 9-2 on their home court.

Northern Iowa rounds out the non-conference slate at Utah Tech as the Panthers look to remain perfect against the Trailblazers on Sept. 20.

Northern Iowa head women's basketball coach Tanya Warren and senior guard Maya McDermott discuss the Panthers' loss to Iowa in Iowa City on Friday, Dec. 20. (Ethan Petrik/Quad-City Times) ...

The Panthers are 6-4 in non-conference play. Northern Iowa is seventh in the MVC with 24.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Tytan Anderson averaging 4.2.