GAME FIFTEEN AND SIXTEEN
DORMAN GYMNASIUM || FAYETTE, IOWA

JANUARY 9, 2015 || 8:00 PM 
VS SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE: LIVE STATS || LIVE VIDEO 

JANUARY 10, 2015 || 6:00 PM
VS SIOUX FALLS: LIVE STATS || LIVE VIDEO 
WEEKLY NOTES

UPPER IOWA || SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE || SIOUX FALLS || NORTHERN SUN 
THIS WEEKEND IN MEN'S BASKETBALL
 
The Peacocks (8-6, 4-4 NSIC) will look to get back to their winning ways with their first home games of the new year against Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls. The Mustangs are 9-5 to start the year, including a 5-3 record in conference and a 4-2 record away from home. The Cougars are 7-7 overall and 4-4 in NSIC play, having won three of their last four games. UIU swept SMSU and USF on the road earlier this season on Dec. 5-6.
 
KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER
 
1     HOME COOKING: The Peacocks are 5-1 at home this season and 13-6 overall at home under Head Coach Brooks McKowen. The Peacocks are averaging 90.83 points per game at home, compared to 76.75 points in games away from Dorman. When UIU scores more than 80 points, the Peacocks are 7-2. When scoring 90-plus points, UIU is 3-0. 

2     DRAWING WHISTLES: The Peacocks are ranked in the top 16 of Division II at getting to the free throw line and converting. UIU is 12th in the country with 366 free throw attempts and 16th in free throws made with 257 made.
 
3     TALLYING TRIFECTAS: UIU ranks sixth in the country in three point field goal attempts and eighth in three pointers made, both of which are second in the conference behind Minnesota State Moorhead.

4     LOCKING DOWN ON "D": Over the last two games, UIU has allowed opponents to shoot above 50% from the field (MSU Moorhead - 40-58, 69%, Northern State - 31-62, 50%). For the season, when Upper Iowa holds opponents to less than 50%, the Peacocks are 8-3. 

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THE SERIES...

VS SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE: (3-16) - Although the overall series record between these teams is one-sided, the Peacocks have won two in a row against the Mustangs, both of which were in Marshall, Minn. SMSU has won three in a row in Fayette, and hold a 5-2 edge in games played in Dorman Gymnasium.

VS SIOUX FALLS: (5-2) - UIU leads the overall series, including holding a 4-1 record since USF joined the NSIC. The lone win for the Cougars came last January  17 in Sioux Falls, as USF rallied for an 84-78 victory. The Peacocks beat Sioux Falls earlier this season at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, 82-66. 

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ABOUT THE OPPONENTS... 

SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE: The Mustangs are 9-5 this season, including a 5-3 mark in conference games. After starting the season 3-2, SMSU has won six of their last nine games, including a two-point loss to Sioux Falls and a four-point loss to UIU. Sophomore forward Joey Bartlett leads Southwest Minnesota State with 14.6 ppg, while sophomore forward Mitch Wegg (12.1 ppg) and senior guard Cole Martin (11.6) aren't far behind.

SIOUX FALLS: The Cougars are 7-7 this season overall and 4-4 in conference play. Sioux Falls started the year 1-3, but have won three of its last four games to get back to .500. USF is led by a pair of guards, senior Charles Ward (17.6 ppg) and sophomore Mack Johnson (15.1 ppg). No other player averages more than 8 points per game.