THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK MEN'S BASKETBALL…
Upper Iowa (7-7, 1-5 NSIC) returns to Dorman Gymnasium for the final time in the 2017 calendar year as they host the Vikings of Bethany Lutheran College on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The teams will meet for the first time for a non-conference tune-up before heading home for the holiday break. The game tips off at 6 p.m. in Fayette, and as always can be streamed online on UIU TV. The game can also be seen in eastern Iowa on KCRG TV 9.3.
 

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PEACOCK STORYLINES...

COMEBACK FALLS SHORT: The Peacocks fell on the road on Saturday night in Winona, Minn. at McCown Gymnasium to the Winona State Warriors, 69-62, despite a valiant comeback attempt. Despite trailing by 19 points early in the game, Upper Iowa came back in the second half to get within two points. However, WSU pulled away late with key stops to sweep the season series with UIU. The Peacocks drop to 7-7 on the season, and 1-5 in the Northern Sun Conference with the loss. Carson Parker's 19 points led the way on 7-11 shooting, and his 8 rebounds were a team-high as well. Blaue added 12 on four trifectas, and Okonkwo and Mitch Eighme added eight apiece.

CHRISTMAS REUNION: UIU will match up with a familiar face Tuesday night in Fayette. Bethany Lutheran Head Coach Matt Fletcher will come back to northeast Iowa to face his former squad. Fletcher was an assistant coach and associate head coach under Brooks McKowen from 2013-16, and then took over at BLC last season.

INDIVIDUAL RANKS: Parker is ranked in the top 10 in the conference and the country in multiple categories this season, including scoring and assists. The point guard leads the NSIC and ranks fourth in all of college basketball with 85 total assists on the season. Parker's 6.1 assists per game ranks third in the league and 21st nationally, and his 2.38 assist/turnover ratio ranks ninth in the NSIC as well. His 17.9 points per game ranks ninth best in the conference, and his lone triple-double this season is tied with six others for the only ones in the country. Munachiso Okonkwo's four double-doubles this season lead the NSIC, while his 105 rebounds rank 2nd in the league and 29th nationally. Mu also is near the top in blocks (43, 2nd NSIC/13th NCAA), and rebounds per game (7.5, 6th NSIC). Joe Smoldt leads the league in three-pointer field goals made (37), and ranks 14th nationally. His 41.6% shooting percentage from behind the arc ranks third in the NSIC as well.
 

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SCOUTING BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE…

The Vikings are coming off an 84-72 victory over Northland College on Saturday in Mankato, Minn., and are currently 5-5 on the season. Bethany Lutheran is off to a 3-0 start in conference play, and is led by by four players who are averaging double figures. Trenton Krueger leads the team with 15.4 points per game, while Brady Rose (13.6 PPG), Neil Eichten (13.2 PPG), and Bradley Rose (10.1 PPG) are right behind. Bethany Lutheran competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference in NCAA Division III and is located in Mankato, Minn.