Box Score

The Peacock men's basketball bench scored 41 points to fuel Upper Iowa's second straight Northern Sun Conference win as UIU claimed a 77-71 victory over the Golden Bears of Concordia University, St. Paul.  The bench points were due to 23 points from backup center Jake Shonka and 10 points from reserve wing Grant Lang.  The pair of Peacocks were the only two that reached double figures on the night.  With the win, Upper Iowa improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC, while Concordia fell to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

With Tucker Wentzien and Sam Elgin in early foul trouble, Head Coach Brian Dolan turned to Shonka and Lang to give the Peacocks a spark after the home team jumped out to an early six-point lead.  The pair of subs answered the bell by combining for 21 of UIU's 35 first half points.  Shonka scored 13 on five baskets and three free throws, while Lang added 8 points on a pair of trifectas and a bucket inside the arc. 

"We tell all of our guys that their time will come and they have to be ready when we call on them," said Dolan.  "He (Shonka) has gotten the opportunity with Mike (Lafrenz) down and he is doing a great job for us."

Upper Iowa struggled keeping Concordia off the boards on the offensive side in the first half allowing 12 rebounds and 13 second chance points.  The Peacocks were able to claim a lead, 35-30, heading to the break though thanks to their 52% (13-25) shooting.

Concordia came out of the break and erased the gap to tie the game at 38-38 three minutes into the second half, but UIU regrouped began to pull away from their host.  Upper Iowa outscored Concordia 18-7 over the next five and a half minutes to claim an 11-point advantage.  The run was highlighted by eight points from Shonka and four from backup guard David Smith.

After the Golden Bears cut the margin to two, 60-58, the Peacocks rebounded with a quick 7-0 run to restablish a comfortable distance.  The home team continued to try to get back into the game and slowly crept back in over the final minutes.  CU's Isaiah Thomas got a tip-in with just over two minutes to play to pull the Golden Bears within two, 69-67.  Wentzien hit a tough jumper in the paint to push the gap back to four, but Terez VanPelt converted a three-point play and the lead was shaved to just one points, 71-70.

Upper Iowa took the next possession and used the whole shot clock looking for a quality opportunity.  Joey Woods took the ball late in the clock and drove down the right side of the lane drawing in Bo Pagel's defender.  Pagel got himself ready and when Woods delivered the ball, the sophomore from Sumner knocked down a three-pointer from the wing that gave UIU a two-possession lead with under a minute to play.  The Peacocks converted enough at the free throw line and played strong defense in the final minute to preserve a 77-71 victory.

Following the win, Dolan said, "We have to turn around quickly tonight and get ready for a very physical battle with the #20 Mavericks tomorrow night.  We will need to be as mentally prepared for as we are physically prepared for the game."

Shonka's 23 points and 9 rebounds eclipse his previous career highs of 6 points and 5 rebounds which both came as a sophomore.  The Tripoli native made 9 of his 11 shots from the floor and all 5 of his free throws.

Lang netted 10 points, while Wentzien added 9 points. Woods chipped in 7 points, but handed out 8 assists and snared 2 steals.  Elgin scored 7 points and pulled in 5 rebounds.

UIU will remain on the road for an NSIC match up with the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato tomorrow night.  The tip is set for 8 p.m. in Mankato, Minn.