Four weeks ago, the Peacocks and Golden Bears met in St. Paul, Minnesota and both teams owned one half of the game. The home team stole a win after erasing a ten-point halftime lead by UIU. The NSIC rematch tonight in Dorman had a different feel as both teams' offenses struggled in the first half due to tough defensive pressure.  The squads stayed close in the second half until a late run in the final four minutes propelled the Golden Bears to a 69-59 win.

 

The lead changed hands four times in the first half; the last change came when Tucker Wentzien slammed a rebound home and then followed with another putback in the final two minutes. The Peacocks outscored their guests 10-2 over the final four and a half minutes of the opening period. UIU used the late run to claim a 30-26 lead at the break. 

 

UIU outrebounded CU 21-14 in the first half thanks to a 10-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Wentzien led the Peacocks with 8 points and 6 rebounds, while Dan Bestul and Jake Hughes added 6 apiece.

 

The Golden Bears doubled the Peacocks’ output in the first seven minutes of the second half, 16-8, to take a 42-38 lead. Upper Iowa rallied thanks to a lift off the bench in the form of Jake Shonka; the sophomore from Tripoli netted 6 points and pulled down a pair of rebounds in seven minutes of action. Shonka’s third bucket gave the home team a 50-48 lead with 7:10 showing on the clock.

 

Concordia spent the next five minutes on a 12-4 run to take a 60-54 lead with two and a half to play. A Trevor Hook trey from the deep corner pulled the home team back within four, 61-57, with 1:34 to play. Concordia pulled away in the final minute hitting six free throws to set the final margin at ten, 69-59. UIU hit just one of their final seven shots in the closing four minutes.

 

Hughes led UIU’s offense with 13 points, while Besul netted 12 and Wentzien added 10 and 9 rebounds. Matt Lesan handed out 4 assists.

 

Peter Olafeso led all scorers with 18 points and also pulled in 6 rebounds while dishing 5 assists. Three other Golden Bears scored in double figures.

 

Upper Iowa (6-14, 5-11 NSIC) will return to Dorman Gym tomorrow night as they host the Huskies of St. Cloud State University. Tip off is scheduled for approximately 8 p.m. following the women’s game.