Box Score
Box Score
 
In a battle of unbeatens, Upper Iowa seemed poised to remain perfect in the early part of 2012. The visiting Peacocks claimed a one-point lead two different times in the first half of Saturday’s opening game in the Bearcat classic against host Northwest Missouri State, but the Peacocks could never hold onto that lead. 
 
No. 22 ranked NMSU stole the show as they improved to 4-0 with a 59-52 non-conference victory over UIU. The Peacocks fall to 2-1 this year and will continue play in the Bearcat Classic tomorrow against the University of Central Missouri.
 
Tucker Wentzien, who was a Second-Team All-NSIC selection last year, led the way on offense for the Peacocks with 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting. The Solon, Iowa native has now scored in double-figures in two straight games after struggling in the season-opener against William Jewel College. Wentzien also collected 8 rebounds and added a block and a steal on defense, but his output wasn’t enough to swipe the victory.
 
Senior guard Alex Sullivan, who led the Bearcats on offense coming into the game with 19.3 points per game, tallied 8 points in the first half and helped his team earn a 25-19 lead at the break.
 
Despite shooting the ball much better in the second half, UIU could not close the Bearcat gap in the second half. NMSU earned an 11-point lead and the largest lead of the game for either team just three minutes into the second stanza.
 
The Bearcat bench did the rest. Five subs tallied 23 points for NMSU, compared to just 13 bench points for the Peacocks.
 
Although UIU shut down Sullivan in the second half, holding him scoreless, DeAngelo Hailey torched the Peacock defense for a game-high 13 points, all of which came in the second half.
 
With 4:16 left, the Peacocks cut the Bearcat lead to just four points, 50-46, thanks to a three-pointer from Grant Lang.  NMSU pulled away though as they hit back-to-back field goals and two free throws, ultimately sealing the victory.
 
Peacock guard Jake Hughes earned double-digit points (10) for the second time this year on 3-of-6 shooting, including a 4-of-4 shooting night from the free throw line. Guard Joey Woods wasn’t far behind Hughes with 8 points on 4-of-9 shooting.
 
The Peacocks will try to rebound from their first loss in 2012 on Sunday against the 3-1 Mules of Central Missouri. UCM fell to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday by two points, 64-62. The opening tip is scheduled for 1 P.M. Click here to view the live stats, or click here to hear the live audio through UCM.