The Peacock men's basketball team went down in defeat to the Quincy University Hawks on Tuesday night in Dorman Gymnasium. Upper Iowa (1-2) trailed by as many as 20 points in the first half, and despite a 54-point second-half performance, could not complete the comeback as they dropped an 86-78 decision. Quincy (2-1) used 11-22 shooting from three-point range to extend their lead, while the Peacocks struggled from the field, going just 2-18 from distance.

Upper Iowa was led by senior Jimmy Roth, who finished the night with a game-high 27 points on 10-18 shooting and 4 rebounds. Dennis Austin III finished with a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 9-15 from the field. Redshirt senior Jordan Hay chipped in with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Six Quincy players finished in double figures, including all five starters. Grant Meyer led the way with 17 points, while Joseph Tagarelli posted a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

The first half was controlled by the visitors, who led for all but 32 seconds. The Peacocks struggled offensively, converting just 8-31 from the field, including 1-9 from behind the arc. UIU led 2-0, but the Hawks quickly tied it and stretched out a five-point lead. The Peacocks broke through to lead 11-9 with 14:39 to play, but a three-pointer from Meyer gave Quincy a lead they would never surrender. The lead stretched to 20 points, 36-16, with 2:53 to play in the half, and when the teams went into the locker room, the Peacocks trailed 41-24.

Upper Iowa stormed out of the gates in the second half, outscoring their guests 28-17 in the first eight minutes. Trailing 58-52, the Peacocks looked to trim the lead even more, but converted just 1-9 from behind the arc in the second stanza and were unable to get any closer. The visitors pushed their lead back out to 13 with 2:04 to play, and UIU could not complete the comeback. Despite a 54-point performance in the final 20 minutes, the hosts could not get any closer than 6, and dropped their home opener.

UIU's offensive success came in the paint. The Peacocks outscored the Hawks 50-42 inside, including a 40-20 advantage in the second half. The difference came from behind the arc. Quincy connected on 11-22 from distance, including 5-9 in the second half to close out the game. Roth was the lone spark in the second half for Upper Iowa, scoring 21 of his 27 points in that stretch. Roth has now scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games, dating back to last February in the NSIC/Sanford Health Men's Basketball Tournament. Roth and Josh Weeber, two seniors, were honored before the game Tuesday night for joining the illustrious 1,000-point club. The duo became the 23rd and 24th members of the club last season in the final game of the year against MSU Moorhead.

The Peacocks have now trailed at halftime in each of their first three games this season. UIU completed the comeback with a 50-point effort last Sunday against Missouri Western State, but were unable to do so on Tuesday night in Fayette.

Upper Iowa will hit the road this weekend to face another GLVC opponent in the Truman State Bulldogs. The Peacocks will take on TSU in Kirksville, Mo. on Saturday, Nov. 19, with tip-off scheduled for 3 p.m.