On an off night for the Peacock outside shooters, UIU showed a different style of play and got to the basket with ease, outscoring Missouri Western State 48-26 in the paint en route to a 82-70 win. Grant Lang was perfect on the night, finishing 7-for-7 from the field for a team-leading 15 points.

Upper Iowa never trailed in the game, scrapping and clawing their way to an early lead by attacking the hoop. The Peacocks scored 16 of their first 24 points in the paint and added another 5 from the free throw line as a result of getting inside. UIU stretched their lead to 11 mid way through the first half before Missouri Western State used a few fast break baskets of its own to bring the lead back to single digits. But the Peacocks closed the half on an 8-3 run to push their halftime lead back to 11. 

The three point shot looked like it may have a large impact on the second half, despite both teams combining to shoot just 3-of-22 from beyond the arc in the first half. Upper Iowa came out and buried trifectas on its first two possessions, taking control early in the second period and leading by 15. But the Griffons had a little run in themselves, hitting five from distance in a three minute span, spurring a 15-7 run of their own. The final three in the run brought MWSU back within 10, but that would be as close as they would get. UIU went back to what brought them early success, pushing the ball up the court quickly and getting in the paint, extending the lead to 23 with a little less than four minutes left. Missouri Western State battled back with a 14-3 run to close out the game, but found themselves still down 12 when clock ran out.

Lang and Jordan Hay led UIU with 15 points each, with Hay adding a team-high 8 rebounds. Jace Hanna (12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and Josh Weeber (13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block) continued their consecutive game streak with double figure scoring to start the year, with Weeber's streak reaching five dating back to last season. Hanna continued his season assault at the free throw line, converting on 8-of-8 attempts in the game and is now shooting 91.3% (21-23) on the season. 

The Peacocks shot a season-high 48.3% (29-60) from the field, despite shooting a season-low 4-of-19 (21%) from three point range. Missouri Western shot 41.9% (26-62) and 9-of-24 from beyond the arc, aided by an 8-for-13 effort from three in the second half.

The Peacocks will play once more before Thanksgiving, hosting in-state opponent Iowa Wesleyan on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at Dorman Gymnasium. Tip off will be at 7 p.m. and the game will be shown live on KCRG channel 9.2.