The Upper Iowa men's basketball team defeated the Minnesota State Mavericks for just the second time in program history on Saturday night, and made history in the process. The Peacocks used the interior game, outscoring the Mavericks 52-18 in the paint on Saturday night at the Taylor Center in Mankato, Minn. After a 37-37 tie at halftime, UIU outscored MSU 45-40 in the second frame to win the game 82-77. With the win, Upper Iowa improves to 7-3 overall and 4-0 in the NSIC. UIU has now won six straight games for the first time in their eleven-year history as a member of NCAA Division II, and is off to their best conference start since joining the Northern Sun.

With the loss, Minnesota State drops to 5-4 overall and 1-3 in the league.

Josh Weeber led all Peacocks with 16 points on 4-7 shooting including 2-3 from behind the arc. The senior also contributed with a 6-6 performance at the free throw line. Redshirt sophomore Dennis Austin III was right behind with 15 points on 7-11 from the field, his best shooting performance of the season. The Apple Valley, Minn. product also pulled down four rebounds on the night. Junior Carson Parker added 12 points on 6-9 shooting, and grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists as well. 

Jordan Hay and Luke Lenhart scored in double figures as well, bringing the total to five Peacocks with double-digit scoring performances. Hay, after scoring a career-high 23 points on Friday, totaled 11 more points on Saturday on 4-7 shooting while pulling a team-high six rebounds. The Stanwood, Iowa product also dished out three assists, tying a team-high. Lenhart contributed with 10 points with 3 rebounds and a steal. 

It was a game that featured 14 lead changes and 8 ties, and was tightly contested the whole way. Upper Iowa fought to the very end, and picked up their first win over MSU since the 2012-13 season. Friday night at Concordia-St. Paul UIU used the three-point shot to win, and on Saturday used the paint. The Peacocks shot 33-60 (55.50%) from the field, and used just a 3-11 performance from distance. Upper Iowa did not make a three in the second half (0-3) and still found a way to win their sixth straight game.

Upper Iowa will look to keep their winning streak alive at home next Saturday, Dec. 17 when they host the Winona State Warriors inside Dorman Gymnasium in Fayette. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. UIU will then head to Winona, Minn. to take on the Warriors 48 hours later, on Monday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. at McCown Gymnasium.