The Peacock men's basketball team fell on the road Friday night to the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University at the R/A Facility in Marshall, Minn. SMSU build up a lead in the first half thanks to 50% shooting from the field, and held on in the second half for the 93-86 victory. The loss sends Upper Iowa to 0-2 in conference play, and 6-4 overall. SMSU improves to 5-3, and 1-1 in the NSIC.

The home team built up a nine-point halftime lead on Friday night, and were fueled by a pair of nine-point efforts by Ryan Bruggeman and KJ Davis. SMSU shot 50% (16-32) from the floor, including 6-14 from behind the arc to build the lead. Upper Iowa, on the other hand, only connected on three triples on 12 attempts, and fell behind by as many as 15 points in the period.

UIU managed to use a 13-7 run to get within 45-36 at halftime, thanks to Carson Parker and Kam Rowan getting to the rim. The half ended with a Dennis Austin III three-pointer, just his second of the season.

The second half saw SMSU extend their lead out once again with a 14-7 stretch to lead 61-47 with 14:56 to play. The lead never got bigger than 15, but the Peacocks had a difficult time trimming the deficit. It wouldn't be until the four-minute mark before UIU would get within four points or less. But late in the game, Upper Iowa began their comeback and a chance at yet another road win in Marshall.

The Peacocks used a quick 7-2 spurt that was capped by a Joe Smoldt three-pointer to get within one, 83-82, with 1:53 to play. However, the Mustangs would close out the game this time, outscoring UIU 10-4 in the final 1:53 to secure the 93-86 victory. The win is the first for SMSU over the Peacocks in Marshall since 2013.

Five Peacocks finished in double digits for the game, led by 20 points from Parker. Austin III added 15, while Smoldt added 14. Rowan registered 12, and Munachiso Okonkwo chipped in with 10 off the bench.

Upper Iowa will head to Sioux Falls, S.D. for a matchup with the Cougars of USF on Saturday, Dec. 2. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Stewart Center.