The Peacock men's basketball team earned a much-needed win on Tuesday night in Dorman Gymnasium in their final home game of 2017. Upper Iowa outscored the Vikings of Bethany Lutheran College in a high-flying game, 94-89. The key was inside, as UIU outscored their guests 52-30 in points in the paint. With the win, the Peacocks improve to 7-6 on the year.

Kam Rowan was a big factor in the game, scoring a team-high 22 points on an extremely efficient 8-11 shooting off the bench. Dennis Austin III, in his second game back after suffering an injury, scores 18 points on 8-16 from the field. Carson Parker tallied 16 on 6-10 shooting, and his 7 rebounds tied for a game-best. Joe Smoldt scored 12 points, while Quentin Blaue tallied 11 to round out the five in double figures. Munachiso Okonkwo's seven board were a game-high as well.

The Peacocks jumped out to an early lead in the opening half, including an 11-0 start. The 11-point advantage was the largest lead of the half for UIU, and the game was tied four different times when the guests made their run. Upper Iowa led 50-46 at halftime behind 56% shooting (19-34). It was a nearly identical shooting half, as Bethany Lutheran converted 17-34 including 7-16 from behind the arc. UIU shot 7-15 from downtown, but held a significant lead in rebounding, 21-9.

The largest lead for Bethany Lutheran in the second half was three points, but held multiple leads throughout the period. There were 13 ties and 18 lead changes throughout the night, and Upper Iowa never felt they could pull away from their guests.

The two teams had a connection with their coaching staffs, as BLC Head Coach Matt Fletcher spent three seasons as the assistant at Upper Iowa for Head Coach Brooks McKowen. The Vikings never gave in on Tuesday night, and Upper Iowa had to fight til the very end.

With the game tied at 83 with 5:00 left, UIU closed the game with an 11-6 run fueled by Austin III getting to the rim, and Smoldt and Parker hitting free throws. The Peacocks held on 94-89, in one of their higher scoring games of the season.

Both teams took 63 shots in the game, and the squads combined for 49% from the floor. UIU shot 21-25 from the foul line and out rebounded the Vikings 37-24.

The Peacocks have their holiday break now and will return next week before their road trip to Bemidji, Minn. on Saturday, Dec. 30. Upper Iowa battles the Bemidji State Beavers at 3:30 p.m. before heading to Minnesota Crookston on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. before welcoming in the new year.