The trip to California could not have gone any better for the Peacock men's basketball team, as they pick up a sweep of the Disney Tip-Off Classic in Anaheim. Upper Iowa never trailed on Sunday evening against the Jacks of Humboldt State University as they earned a hard-fought, 60-55 victory. It was the lowest scoring game of the tournament for UIU, but their defense held strong to preserve the win. The win is significant for the Peacocks, as they start 3-0 for the first time in the NCAA Division II history of the program. Humboldt State drops to 1-2 on the young season.

The Peacocks shot just 37% (23-62) from th field for the game, but their defense held the Jacks to just 20 field goals made themselves. HSU shot just 30% (20-65), and converted only three shots from behind the arc in 23 attempts. The UIU defense, a strength in the stretch run in the post-season a year ago, flexed their muscles on Sunday evening to help secure a win. The Upper Iowa offense did their part just enough to obtain an early lead, and never give it up the entire 40 minutes.

The game was tied only twice, and both were within the first three minutes of the game. The lead in the first half was a large as 11, when the Peacocks led 31-20 late in the period. Freshman Joe Smoldt led the way in the half, scoring a game-high 10 points in the period on 3-5 shooting, with all three makes coming from distance. The difference in the half was the UIU defense, as they held the Jacks to just 7-31 (22%) from the floor, and pulled down 21 rebounds as well. UIU led 31-22 at halftime, and held all the momentum. They carried it with them in the second half as well.

Upper Iowa stormed out of the gate in the period with a 17-4 run to push their lead to a remarkable 22 points, 48-26. The lead was the largest of the tournament, and it appeared that the Peacocks would cruise to a blowout victory. However, Humboldt State was not done. The Jacks methodically climbed back into the game, as they used a stretch of nine minutes to get within 10 points, 57-47. Upper Iowa hit just 26% of their shots in that nine-minute stretch, and the Jacks converted some big shots to get within 10 with 3 minutes to play. HSU used an 8-0 run to get within two, 57-55, with just 12 seconds left. It then came down to free throws, and senior Carson Parker connected on a pair and Kam Rowan hit one-of-two to push the lead back to five, 60-55, and the Peacocks would hold on to win by that score.

A big part of the second half was the inside presence of Munachiso Okonkwo. The junior from Owerri, Nigeria led the way in the half with seven points, and added a block and seven rebounds in the final 20 minutes as well. UIU hit just three triples in the half, and Quentin Blaue connected on two of them in key possessions.

For the game, Okonkwo and Smoldt led the way with 13 points apiece, while Parker quietly added 10. The countdown continues for the New Hartford, Iowa product, as he now sits at 987 career points. He needs just 13 to become the 27th member of the 1,000-point club in Upper Iowa's history. Blaue and Mitch Eighme added six points each, while Rowan and Dennis Austin III added five points apiece. Okonkwo's 11 rebounds were a game-high, and the junior recorded his first double-double in his two seasons as a Peacock. Parker added seven boards and four assists, while Rowan pulled down six boards himself.

The Peacocks will head back to the Midwest after their 3-0 start, and up next for the team is a trip to St. Joseph, Mo. for the Hillyard Tip-Off Classic hosted by Missouri Western State University. Upper Iowa will match up with the top ranked and defending national champion Northwest Missouri State Bearcats in a rematch of last year's first round game in the NCAA Tournament next Friday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. UIU will then match up with the host Missouri Western Griffons on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m.