Feb. 10, 2008

Box Score

The Peacock men's basketball team traveled to Southwest Minnesota State for their latest NSIC game. The first time these two teams met, the Peacocks shocked the Mustangs and upset them in Dorman Gym. SMSU took a twelve point lead at halftime thanks to 70% shooting from the field. The Peacocks rallied quickly in the second half pulling within three, but the visitors couldn't complete the comeback as they fell 88-76.

The two teams played evenly through the first five minutes; a Jude Roybal three-pointer put the Peacocks down two, 14-12. The home team jumped out to a twelve point advantage thanks to a 12-2 run over the next four minutes. UIU cut the defecit to six with 4:07 on the clock on a Matt Lesan jumper. The home team pushed their lead back to double figures heading to the break, 49-37.

The second half opened with back-to-back baskets by the Mustangs to drop the Peacocks down sixteen, but the visitors began a rally to get back into the game. Trailing 53-37, Upper Iowa used a 17-4 run to pull within three of Southwest, 57-54. The run was fueled by baskets off the hands of five different Peacocks. The Mustangs did not let the momentum turn, however, as they extended their lead back to 77-61 with 6:50 to play. UIU was unable to work the margin back into single digits as they took the loss 88-76.

Lesan led the Peacocks with 16 points, while Roybal netted 15 and A.J. Adkins chipped in 10. Alex Kramer led UIU on the boards with 5, while Chris Sullivan pulled down 4. Roybal and Dan Bestul each handed out 3 assists.

Upper Iowa (6-16, 5-8) will face the Wildcats of Wayne State on Saturday night, Feb. 9. Tip off is scheduled for 8 p.m.