Box Score
There is something about Brantley Gilbert’s Kick it in the Sticks country-rock song that gets Sam Elgin fired up before a game. He gets this mean, nasty look on his face before running through the tunnel of teammates as the starting lineups are announced.

From the onset of Saturday night’s battle with NSIC-North foe Bemidji State, Elgin wasn’t the only Peacock with swagger in their step. UIU shot an eye-popping 63 percent from the floor – its highest percentage this season – as the Peacocks posted a season-high 81 points at home against the visiting Beavers. Elgin had a game- and season-high 27 of those points on 8-of-12 shooting as the Peacocks rolled BSU, 81-67.

“When that music starts playing and I hear my name, I just get all crunked-up and ready to go,” Elgin said with a crooked smile.

It was Tucker Wentzien and David Smith who earned layups in the opening minute before Elgin went to work and connected on back-to-back buckets to give UIU an early 8-0 lead.

The Peacocks led by as much as ten, 17-7, thanks to another jumper from Elgin and two free throws from Bo Pagel before the Beavers made their first run of the night.

It started with a 10-1 run for BSU as Lance Rongstad and Jason Edwards connected on 3s from downtown. Jordan Hay answered right back with  a 3 of his own to put UIU up, 21-17, with 8:10 to play in the first half.

BSU answered again, and this time, they took the lead, 27-25, with another 3 from Edwards. In all, it was an 18-8 run spanning over seven minutes and it gave the Beavers their largest lead of the game.

The Peacocks responded with a Grant Lang layup to tie the game for the second time before Wentzien hit two free throws and put UIU back on top, 29-27. The Beavers would tie the game two more times before the first period ended, but the Peacocks always clawed back. Each time the Beavers tied the game, UIU would answer with a bucket or free throws and that helped them take a 36-34 lead into halftime.

After totaling just nine total points in two games last weekend, Elgin had 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe in just the first half against the Beavers.

“I would say [the rim] felt about ten-feet wide tonight,” Elgin joked. “I haven’t been shooting great for a while. It’s been a struggle, but I know I’m a good shooter and they’re going to fall eventually. My teammates were finding me good looks and tonight was the night.”

His coach mentioned his strong week of practice and it paid off this weekend. Elgin had 39 combined points on 13-of-24 shooting against Minnesota, Crookston and BSU.

“He was shooting the ball well and he was way more relaxed,” Dolan said. “So we’re glad to have him back.”

UIU’s momentum started to fade as the second period opened with a 3 from the Beavers’ Dermaine Crocknell, giving BSU the lead, 37-36. But Elgin wasn’t a one-hit wonder in the first half.

Following BSU's 3, the Center Point, Iowa native regained the lead with an assist to Wentzien. Two minutes later, Elgin drained two free throws to put the Peacocks up by five, 46-41, before he nailed a 3 thanks to Hughes' sixth assist in the game.

“Everybody on our team has the utmost confidence in Sam Elgin as a shooter and a basketball player,” Hughes said.

After he found Elgin for the triple, Hughes made his own luck, stealing the ball and finishing the possession with a layup.

His hot play continued as Elgin took a breather on the bench. With less than 12 minutes left and less than 10 seconds on the shot clock, Hughes drove to the hoop, drew contact and converted the bucket and the free throw for the three-point play.

Hughes then converted another three-point play after a Cedric Collins steal to put the Peacocks up 62-46 with 11:46 left. In all, it was a 25-9 run for the Peacocks in the opening eight minutes of the second half.

“We knew [they were] going to be physical going into the game,” Dolan said. “I thought the guys did a good job tonight of playing with it and dealing with it.”

With just over eight minutes left, the Beavers cut the Peacock lead to just four points thanks to a 13-0 run, which was capped with a 3 from Zach Noreen.

Elgin would respond, again.

The senior hit back-to-back 3s from the corner and UIU had an eight-point lead again.

“It’s always nice to know a guy is feeling good,” Dolan said. “Noreen hit a 3 down there, we came down here and called a quick-hitter for Sam and he answered with it. That killed their momentum.”

The Peacocks would extend their lead to double-digits with a jumper and a 3 from Wentzien on back-to-back possessions and the Beavers could not hold on. UIU sealed the victory late and earned the win, 81-67.

The victory marked the first time in Division II play that both the men’s and women’s basketball teams earned a weekend sweep in the same weekend.  The win also marks a two-game win streak for the men and gives the Peacocks a 13-5 overall record, including a 9-3 mark in NSIC play – their best start in Division II and Brian Dolan’s highest win total as their coach, with ten games still to be played.

“It was a great team win,” Elgin said, “and we should have more to come.”

Elgin was just one of three Peacocks – all of whom are seniors – to score in double-figures as Hughes finished with 14 points and eight assists, and Wentzien notched 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting.

“I tip my hat to these seniors – they’ve been through a lot,” Dolan said. “As for Jake, it’s his senior year, and it’s really fun to see him take on a more assertive role.”

With the underclassmen looking up to him, Hughes understood his pregame-message from his coach – UIU had not won a Saturday game at home this season and it was up to the seniors to lead by example.

“Coach reiterated that the last two Saturday’s we haven’t come out with enough energy or effort,” he said. “Saturdays in this league are a grind, so coming out with effort is important.”

The Peacocks will count on their senior leadership next weekend as they head to Southwest Minnesota State on Friday and Sioux Falls on Saturday. Friday’s game against the Mustangs is especially big because SMSU escaped Fayette back on the fifth of January with a five-point win, 74-69, and the Peacocks are out for revenge.

“It’s going to be a battle,” Elgin said. “It’s definitely a game we can win. If we all show up, offensively and defensively – we should be fine.”

Coach Dolan also has a bigger interest in that game.

“Brad Bigler – the head coach – is one of my best friends, but I really don’t like him from October to March,” Dolan joked. “He’s got our number for some reason – I don’t know why. It’s a tough place to play, but we always play well up there – it’s always a good, competitive game.”