Upper Iowa Defeated by #19 Southwest Minnesota State in NSIC Holiday HoopsFest

Nov. 30, 2008

The Peacocks took the floor in Sioux Falls, S.D. at the NSIC Holiday HoopsFest against the #19 Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University. UIU opened the ball game well and played evenly with nationally-ranked SMSU. The Mustangs used a late 18-7 run in the first half to take an eleven-point lead into the locker room at halftime. The Peacocks were able to close to within eight points in the second half, but the Mustangs pushed the lead back to eighteen and won the game 80-62. With the loss, Upper Iowa falls to 1-4, while Southwest Minnesota State improves to 5-1.

The Mustangs jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the contest. The Peacocks climbed back into the game as the first half marched toward its midway point; Dylan Diedrich converted on an old-fashioned three-point play to bring the score to 18-14 in favor of SMSU. A Diedrich jumper at the 8:46 mark cut the margin to three points, 21-18, but Southwest Minnesota State slowly took control to go into halftime leading 39-28.

SMSU opened the second half by scoring the first four points and extending their lead to fifteen points. UIU was able to cut the deficit from thirteen to eight points, 51-43, fueled by an A.J. Adkins three-pointer and a Mark Lafrenz jumper with just under thirteen minutes to play. A three-point play by Matt Lesan put the Peacocks back down eight points, 54-46, with under twelve minutes to play, but Upper Iowa would not get any closer. As the horn sounded, the Mustangs took the victory, 80-62.

The Mustangs shot 55% for the game and outrebounded the Peacocks 38-20 in the game.

Dan Bestul led Upper Iowa in scoring with 13 points, while Nick Kramer added 12. Kramer added 5 rebounds to lead the Peacock effort on the boards.

Upper Iowa will open their Northern Sun Conference season with two home games next Friday and Saturday nights, Dec. 5 & 6. Upper Iowa will host the Golden Bears of Concordia University, St. Paul and the Huskies of St. Cloud State University in Dorman Gym. Both games will start after the women's game at approximately 8 p.m. and can be heard live on AM 950 KOEL. The games will also be webcast on NorthernSun.tv and live stats will be available through UIU's website UpperIowaAthletics.com.

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