Nov. 21, 2009

Box Score

The Peacock men's basketball team was back in action Saturday afternoon as they closed out the 2009 SMSU Classic by lining up against Lewis University. The Peacocks dropped the non-conference contest, 83-76, falling to 0-3 for the season.

UIU led for the majority of the first ten minutes, but the Flyers went on a quick 7-0 run to take the lead at 19-10 with 8:39 to play in the half. Both teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the first frame and UIU found themselves down eight, 37-29, heading into the halftime break.

Lewis made two more field goals in the first half while taking three more attempts and out rebounded UIU, 16-14.

The play remained very back-and-forth following the halftime break. At one point, Lewis had extended their lead to 11 while UIU had cut the deficit to six early in the half before Brad Burgus pulled the Peacocks within six again with 4:34 remaining in regulation with a three-point bucket assisted by Dan Bestul.

After Lewis extended their lead to 12 again with 2:52 remaining in the game, the Peacocks clawed back to within five when Jake Hughes converted the free throw of an old-fashioned three-point play with 48 seconds remaining. Unfortunately for UIU, the Flyers would ice the game with free throw shooting to win the contest, 83-76.

Burgus led UIU in scoring, tallying 13 points on five-of-12 shooting. Hughes added 12 points, while Keith Steffeck chipped in 10. Upper Iowa out rebounded Lewis, 34-28, which included a 15-5 clip on the offensive glass.

The Flyers were led by Dennis Thomas Jr. who dropped in 31 points on seven-of-12 shooting from the floor and 17-of-19 from the free throw line.

With the loss, UIU falls to 0-3 to start the season, while Lewis improves to 2-1.

Upper Iowa will take Sunday off before the Rangers of UW-Parkside visit Fayette for the men's home opener on Monday, Nov. 21. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. inside Dorman Gym.