Box Score
The Peacocks welcomed the Dragons of MSU Moorhead to Fayette tonight for a Northern Sun Conference affair. Last season, UIU controlled the match up in Moorhead, Minnesota and the Peacocks were determined for a repeat performance. Upper Iowa controlled their defensive half of the floor and got great looks at the basket throughout the game. The home team put together one of their best complete games of the season to win 66-54 and improve to 5-9 on the year and 4-6 in the NSIC.
The teams spent the first seven minutes feeling each other out as the home team claimed an 8-7 lead. Upper Iowa pushed out to their largest lead of the half after outscoring their guests 16-6 over the next nine minutes. UIU got their lead thanks in large part to a hot-shooting Mark Lafrenz off the bench. The junior netted seven points during the run.
The Peacocks held a 28-18 advantage at the break after holding the Dragons to 24% shooting. UIU outrebounded MSUM 21-14 in the opening twenty minutes led by Wentzien’s seven boards. The sophomore led the team with 9 points as well. The Dragons were led by Dennis Williamson, who scored 13.
After MSU Moorhead opened the half with a rare four-point play, Upper Iowa took control and ran their lead up to sixteen, 40-24, when Matt Lesan finished a Dan Bestul assist in the paint four minutes into the half. The lead grew to eighteen, 49-31, with just over eleven minutes on the clock. With seven to play, Wentzien got his second highlight dunk of the night as he finished an alley-oop from Jake Hughes.
Upper Iowa continued to play strong defense over the final minutes of the game as the Peacocks came away from Dorman with a 66-54 victory over the Dragons. UIU held MSUM to 34% shooting and forced 11 turnovers while dominating the boards by a 40-29 count.
Wentzien led the way for UIU with a double-double thanks to 15 points and 11 rebounds. Matt Lesan added 12 and Mark Lafrenz finished with 10. Lesan also added 7 assists for UIU.
The Golden Eagles of Minnesota, Crookston will take to the hardwood in Dorman Gym as the Peacocks return to defend their home floor. Tip off is scheduled for 8 p.m. following the women’s game.
