Upper Iowa men's basketball fell to the hot-shooting Minnesota State Mavericks on Friday night, 97-75. MSU shot 51.9% (28-54) from the floor and 55% (11-20) from three point range to keep the Peacocks at an arm's length for most of the evening. UIU shot just 37.3% (22-59) from the field and 36.8% (7-19) from beyond the arc.
 
In a first half that saw 28 combined fouls and 36 total free throws, the Peacocks headed to the locker room down by 19, 52-33. Upper Iowa led by four, 11-7, early in the game before the Mavericks went on a 20-2 to take control. MSU continued to shoot the ball well for the remainder of the half (55.6%) and kept UIU down by double digits for the majority of the final half of the opening period.
 
Early in the second half, Minnesota State pushed its lead to as high as 25-points before the Peacocks came alive with a 17-6 run,  cutting the deficit to 14, 73-59. Unfortunately for UIU, that would be as close as the game would get as the Mavericks continued to shoot the ball well in the second half and again stretched their lead to as high as 25.
 
Carson Parker and Josh Weeber led Upper Iowa with 12 points apiece, but were the only Peacocks in double figures. Parker and Jimmy Roth added five boards and three assists each to pace UIU.
 
Upper Iowa makes the short trip to St. Paul, Minnesota for their game tomorrow in the Gangelhoff Center in a matchup against Concordia-St. Paul. It is the annual Day of Heros game for the Golden Bears, honoring veterans, as well as a "Toys for Tots" donation drive. The first 100 fans to donate an item will receive a voucher for one free Jimmy John's sub, redeemable at the location on Snelling Ave., near Concordia's campus. Tip-off will follow the Peacocks and Concordia women's basketball game at approximately 6 p.m.