Box Score

With just 4:31 left in their final exhibition game against the Southern Illinois Salukis, Peacock guard Joey Woods found redshirt-senior Michael Lafrenz inside the paint and the power forward’s layup gave the Upper Iowa men’s basketball team a one-point lead, 56-55. Unfortunately, that was the last time UIU would have the lead.

SIU’s defense clamped down and finished the game on an 18-6 run, taking the victory, 73-62 in the Peacock’s final exhibition game.

For the second consecutive time, the Peacock offense was led by Tucker Wentzien, who had 16 total points on 6-of-13 shooting and eight rebounds. Jake Hughes went 3-for-4 from the floor and was second on the team with 11 points as he converted 5-of-6 free throws.

UIU had a five-point lead halfway through the first period, but trailed 37-32 at the half. In a tale of two halves, the Peacocks were outscored 18-8 in the paint in the first half, but flipped that around in the second as they earned 22 points in the paint compared to SIU’s 12. The Peacocks shot an eye-popping 52 percent from the floor on 25 shots in the second period, but could not steal the win.

UIU will open regular-season play this Sunday at home against the Cardinals of William Jewell College at 1 p.m. in a non-conference game. Click here to follow the live stats.