After starting the season on the wrong end of a couple tight games, the Peacocks held on for a 76-72 victory over #14 Northwest Missouri State on Friday night at the Hillyard Tip-Off Classic in St. Joseph, Mo. It was the first win of the season for Upper Iowa and the third consecutive game against a ranked opponent early in the year.
 
With the game tied and 38 seconds remaining, Jernell Hughes hit a three to give UIU the 71-68 lead, which they never gave back. Jimmy Roth, who led the Peacocks with 19 points, hit a free throw to stretch the lead to 4 with 13 seconds left, then Luke Lenhart iced the game by knocking down a pair from the charity stripe with 5 ticks left.
 
The Peacocks held a nine point lead with five minutes left in the first half, but went cold down the stretch and finished the half 0-5 from the field with 3 turnovers. Northwest Missouri State took advantage and Upper Iowa went to halftime tied, 33-33.
 
UIU came out hot in the second half and jumped out to an 8 point lead, 47-39, with 13:38 left in the game. The Bearcats chipped away at the lead and eventually tied it at 47-47.
 
Over the final 10:33, neither team held more than a 3 point lead until the Peacocks led by 4 with the Roth free throw with 13 seconds left. Both teams struggled from the charity stripe as the Peacocks were just 16-26 and the Bearcats went 22-38. UIU, however, hit them when they counted, knocking down 3-4 in the final 13 seconds.
 
In addition to Roth, Josh Weeber (13 points) and Hughes (11) finished in double figures, while Jordan and Carson Parker had 9 points each. Parker led UIU on the glass with 9 rebounds.
 
UIU is back on the floor at the MWSU Fieldhouse on Saturday night when they play the host, Missouri Western State, at 7:30 p.m.