Feb. 27, 2010

Box Score

Upper Iowa welcomed Concordia University, St. Paul to Dorman Gym for the final game of the 2009-10 season this afternoon in Fayette. The Peacocks and Golden Bears met earlier in the season on a neutral floor; UIU took the NSIC opener 64-60 in early December. Today's match up was a much more up tempo affair as the teams combined for 157 points. After heading to halftime down ten points, the Peacock outscored their guests by thirteen to claim an 80-77 NSIC victory and improve to 12-15 on the season and 9-11 in the Northern Sun.

Concordia opened the game by outscoring Upper Iowa 16-7 in the first six minutes. Craig Heiman fueled the Golden Bears in the opening minutes with three early buckets. The Peacocks turned up the defense and slowly crept back into the game to trail by just three, 22-19, with 9:32 on the clock. The UIU charge was highlighted by a Sam Elgin steal and fastbreak dunk.

The Golden Bears quickly reclaimed their lead with a 14-6 run that pushed the margin back to eleven, 36-25. CU maintained their double-digit lead through the final five minutes of the half to head into the break leading 44-34.

Upper Iowa was led by Mark Lafrenz's 10 points and Tucker Wentzien's 8, while Concordia got 11 points from Brent Barz and 8 from Andrew Kuderer. Both teams took care of the ball combining for only four turnovers in the first half.

The Peacocks came out of the halftime break and began to scrape away at the Golden Bear lead. UIU pulled within five points on four occasions in the first six minutes of action. Upper Iowa's rally was highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Jake Hughes. Trailing 59-52, the home team was able to get within one, 59-58, thanks to a quick 6-0 run. When the teams headed to the sideline for the second half media timeout, Concordia had reclaimed their five-point advantage, 63-58, thanks to a pair of free throws and a lay in.

A pair of Matt Lesan free throws and an Elgin lay up pulled the home team back within two, 64-62, but a quick four points from Heiman pushed the gap back to six, 70-64. Upper Iowa continued to fight back and once again pulled within one, 70-69, following a Dan Bestul bucket and trifecta that brought the home crowd to their feet.

After both teams exchanged a pair of free throws and two-point baskets, the Golden Bears were still clinging to a one-point lead, 74-73. After tough defense by Upper Iowa forced an errant Concordia shot and converted a fast break opportunity when Hughes put back a lay up to give the home team their first lead, 75-74, since the opening minute of the game.

Alex Kramer pushed the lead to two with a free throw before Heiman hit a deep three from the left wing to put Concordia on top, 77-76, with 55 seconds to play. The Peacocks came right back with a Dan Bestul jumper in the lane just 18 seconds later to jump back in front, 78-77. Heiman looked to dial in from deep again, but came up short and the Golden Bears were forced to foul. Wentzien headed to the line and converted both free throws and Upper Iowa withstood a last-second three-point attempt by the Golden Bears to claim the 80-77 victory.

The Peacocks completed the season sweep of the Golden Bears thanks to five players in double figures. Wentzien led UIU with 16 points, while Bestul scored 13, Lafrenz netted 12, and Elgin and Hughes put home 10 points. Wentzien also led the team in rebounding with 8. Matt Lesan, who was honored before the game for reaching the 1,000 point milestone, scored 6 points, pulled down 5 rebounds and handed out 4 assists.