Box Score Marshall, MINN – The Upper Iowa men's basketball team failed to slow down fellow NSIC-South opponent Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minnesota as the Mustangs shot 54 percent from the floor en route to a 74-55 conference victory. Tucker Wentzien led the way for UIU with 21 points, but it wasn't enough as five different Mustangs finished in double-figures led by Jordan Miller's 18 points.

The win gives SMSU an 8-5 mark in the conference and a 11-9 overall record, while the loss drops the Peacocks to 13-6 overall, while they drop to 9-4 in the NSIC.

"It seems like when we come up here they play at a very high level and we don't," coach Brian Dolan said about UIU's 0-8 record in Marshall. "I think they deserve most of the credit for why that happens."

A slow start hurt the Peacocks, but just as they were gaining some momentum near the end of the first half, the Mustangs stole the show.

With 12 seconds remaining in the first period, Miller wanted the last shot of the half. He fought his way to the sideline and waited for a good-looking shot. Well, it wasn't a good-looking shot. It was a heavily-contested shot and Miller was falling out-of-bounds when the ball left his hands, but the three-pointer still went through the hoop. That's just the way the Peacocks' night went as SMSU jumped out to a 36-19 lead after one period of play.

UIU connected on just 8-of-26 shots in the first period, compared to the red-hot 56 percent shooting for SMSU. The Peacocks were also just 1-of-5 from the free throw line in the first 20 minutes.

"It's hard to tie it into one stat, but I do think free throw shooting is a good indication of where you are at mentality – if you're focused or not," Dolan said.

The Peacocks' 19 first half points tied a season-low. UIU also had 19 points in the first half against Northwest Missouri State back on Nov. 24 of last year.

There was one bright spot, though. Wentzien's play in the paint kept UIU in the game. The Solon, Iowa native had a team-high 12 points in the first half on 5-of-7 shooting. His solid play continued on the Peacocks' first possession in the second half as Wentzien converted a layup to pull the game within reach, 36-21.

Miller answered right back with a reverse layup and the Mustang lead was back to 17.

Wentzien was fouled and he made 1-of-2 free throws on the next possession, but again, Miller answered with an-NBA style drive and step-back jumper.

A Joey Woods bucket was sandwiched in between another Wentzien bucket as UIU cut the Mustang lead to 14 points, 40-26.

After two SMSU free throws, Sam Elgin got into the action as he drove to the paint, converted a layup and the ensuing free throw for a three-point play.

A minute later, Wentzien pushed his point total over 20 points as he sank a layup. His bucket pulled the Mustang lead to just 12, but that was the closest UIU would come.  SMSU had an answer for each blow the Peacocks dished out and UIU could not keep up.

The Mustangs pushed their lead to 33 points two times in the final five minutes and held on for the 74-55 victory.
The Peacocks will try to put the loss behind them quickly as they have a quick turnaround game against Sioux Falls on Saturday night.

Both the Peacocks and Cougars will be looking to get back in the win column after losing their respective Friday matchups. UIU is 1-1 against USF all-time, including a 71-62 victory earlier this season in Fayette. Click here to view the preview of that game.