Upper Iowa nearly overcame a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes against the Beavers of Bemidji State, but a last second three point attempt from Bo Pagel caught iron and UIU fell 88-85. The Peacocks held a five point lead at halftime, but saw it quickly disappear as Bemidji State shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) in the second half. Upper Iowa had a chance to tie it late but missed clutch free throws, which was a problem for both sides all game long as neither team shot well from the charity stripe, with UIU shooting just 67.7 percent (21-of-31) and BSU shooting 65.7 percent (23-of-35).
 
The Beavers led early in the opening period, but UIU found its range midway through the half. The Peacock used a 10-0 and an 8-0 run to open a 13-point margin at the 9:59 mark. BSU began cutting into the UIU lead with less than three minutes left, using an 8-0 run of their own to bring the lead to three, 41-38. Jernell Hughes knocked down a trifecta with 27 seconds left and Bemidji State added a free throw in the final seconds as Upper Iowa led by five, 44-39, at the break.
 
Bemidji State came out hot in the second half and had two quick 6-0 runs that gave BSU the lead at 55-52. It was the Beaver's first lead since it was 8-7 at the 16:03 mark in the first half.
 
UIU matched the Bemidji State's intensity and both teams traded baskets as they heated up. With just under nine minutes left, Grant Lang knocked down a deep three to tie the game at 66-66, only to have Bemidji State came back with a three pointer of their own. A couple empty possessions and a UIU free throw later, Pagel stepped into a straight on three to put Upper Iowa up by one, 70-69. But again BSU immediately responded with a trifecta of its own to take the wind out of the Peacock's sails.
 
With 5:16 left, Jimmy Roth hit layup tying the game at 74-74. Over the next minute and a half, the Beavers staged a 10-1 run on two layups and 6-of-6 shooting from the free throw line to jump out to an 84-75 lead.
 
But then Bemidji State gave Upper Iowa life when they had two consecutive turnovers, sparking a 9-2 run for the Peacocks that was bookended by a Hughes and Josh Weeber three pointer to bring UIU within two, 86-84.
 
Jace Hanna forced a tough shot on the next possession for the Beavers, got a hand on the ball for a block. He grabbed the rebound, was fouled and headed to the free throw line with 15 ticks left. Hanna missed the first free throw, but knocked down the second to make it a one point game, 86-85. Bemidji State was able to break the Peacock pressure on the inbounds pass and run some clock before being fouled and knocking down both free throws. Pagel wound up with the ball on the UIU's offensive end and had a decent look at a deep three with the clock running down, but it was a bit strong and the Beavers pulled down the rebound for the win.
 
Five Peacocks finished in double figures with Weeber leading the way with 16 points. Pagel and Hughes added 14 each, as Hughes finished 4-of-4 from deep. Roth ended the night with 12 points, doing most of his damage from the free throw line where he was 7-of-10, while Lang had 10 points. Luke Lenhart led UIU on the glass, pulling down seven rebounds.
 
Brock Lutes finished the game with 20 points for Bemidji State, with 14 of those coming in the second half.
 
The Peacocks will hit the road the next two weeks for a four-game road trip, starting with a game at Minnesota Duluth next Friday, Feb. 6. Tip off from Duluth will follow the UIU women's game, starting at approximately 8 p.m.