NORMAL, Ill. - The Northern Iowa baseball squad took sole possession of the Missouri Valley Conference lead Friday night with a 2-1 triumph at Illinois State.

The Panthers, now 18-10 overall and 6-1 in league play, entered the night winners in 13 of their last 15 contests and tied with perennial power Wichita State for the Valley lead.

And, after Wichita State saw its game at Creighton rained out, the Panthers inched their way into the league penthouse by percentage points.

Guido Fonseca upped his record to 7-0, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out 10.

After a slow start, Panther shortstop Brandon Douglas got momentum rolling in UNI's direction in the seventh inning, when he belted a solo home run, tying things at 1-all. In the ninth, Travis Hendrix plated the winning run with a sacrifice fly.

Closer Joe Gonzalez worked out of a jam to secure the game's final out.

The Panthers and Redbirds (13-15, 3-7) return to battle today at 2 p.m.

Northern Iowa 000 000 101 - 2 6 1

Illinois State 000 001 000 - 1 3 2

Guido Fonseca, Tim Flattery (9), Joe Gonzalez (9) and Eddie Almonte; Eric Copeland, Eric Thiesen (9) and Kevin Dubler. WP - Fonseca (7-0). LP - Thiesen. S - Joe Gonzalez (5). HR - Brandon Douglas.

MVC standings

Conf. Overall

W L W L

Northern Iowa 6 1 18 10

Wichita State 5 1 25 4

Creighton 6 3 22 8

Missouri State 6 4 20 11

Bradley 5 5 14 15

Indiana State 4 5 9 17

Southern Ill. 3 4 18 13

Illinois State 3 7 13 15

Evansville 1 9 6 25