Jan. 30, 2010
Box Score
Saturday night's men's basketball game at Upper Iowa featured two teams that were both named in the first NCAA Regional poll of the season released earlier this week. Upper Iowa was named as the #10 team in the region, while the Warriors of Winona State were recognized as the #9 squad in the region.
The Warriors shot 55% in the first half to build a nine-point advantage at the break. The visitors dominated the second half thanks to a 19-2 run over the opening six minutes and never looked back. Winona State won the game 88-56. The Warriors improve to 15-5 overall and 9-4 in the NSIC, while the Peacocks fall to 9-11 overall and 6-7 in conference play.
The Peacocks jumped out to an early 7-4 lead, but the Warrior offense got hot over the next six minutes. At the 11:41 mark of the half, Winona State had pulled ahead by a 27-15 count thanks to a 23-8 run. During the run, Upper Iowa only four of their thirteen shots and turned the ball over three times. The Peacocks cut into the margin and brought it down to seven a few times in the half. The final seven-point deficit, 37-30, came with 6:37 on the clock. Upper Iowa went into the halftime break trailing by nine, 46-37.
Winona State's David Johnson led all scorers in the first half with 16 points, while Joel Armstrong added 14 for the visitors. Ben Fischer handed out 7 assists for the Warriors.
Upper Iowa was led by Brad Burgus and Matt Lesan, who each netted seven points. Dan Bestul pulled down four rebounds in the opening half.
The Warriors stepped up their defense in the second half and forced the Peacocks into eight turnovers in their first eleven possessions of the half. While the UIU offense struggled to get going, the WSU offense was in high gear pushing their lead to 26 points, 65-39, with 14:04 on the clock. By the time the home team found their stride on offense the game was out of reach. The Warriors maintained their large advantage throughout the second half and won the game 88-56.
WSU's Johnson scored 25 and Armstrong finished with 15. Fischer dished out 11 assists on the night and Armstrong and Michael Mueller each pulled down 7 rebounds.
Upper Iowa was led by Brad Burgus, who shot 5-5 on the night, with 12 points. Lesan added 9 points. Jake Hughes handed out 3 assists and Bestul snared 7 rebounds.
Upper Iowa will return to Prochaska Court in Dorman Gym next Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, for a pair of Northern Sun Conference games. The Peacocks will host the Marauders of the University of Mary on Friday night and the Wolves of Northern State University on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip following the women's game at approximately 8 p.m.
