The Peacock men's basketball team dropped an instant classic to the Mavericks of Minnesota State Universtiy, Mankato on Saturday night inside Dorman Gymnasium in Fayette. Despite holding multiple leads in the game, Minnesota State was able to come back in the second half to claim the late lead and hold on for the win. Freshman Joe Smoldt's three-pointer at the buzzer from over 30 feet away just missed short as UIU dropped an 86-83 decision. With the loss, Upper Iowa drops to 7-6 overall and 1-4 in the Northern Sun Conference. MSU stays perfect in the league with the win at 4-0, and is now 7-2 overall.

It was a game that was tied five times and had seven lead changes, and right from the beginning the game had the sense it would come down to the wire. It lived up to the bill. Both teams put together great offensive performances, as the Peacocks shot 45.8% (27-59) from the field, and the Mavericks connected on 47.8% (33-69) of their shot attempts. A late run proved to be the difference, as Minnesota State stayed at the top of the NSIC South division with the victory.

Senior Carson Parker had yet another 20-point night for the Peacocks, giving the point guard five such games this season, and three in the last five. Parker matched a game-high in points on 5-14 from the floor, including 3-8 from behind the arc, but made up for it by connecting on 7-of-8 at the free throw line. Parker added 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. His seven assists were also a game-best in 35 minutes of play.

Kam Rowan was entered back into the starting lineup on Saturday with an injury to Dennis Austin III, and did not disappoint with a 15-point effort on 6-11 from the field. Smoldt added 15 on 6-14 shooting, while Munachiso Okonkwo tallied 11 points as a starter as well. Mitch Eighme tallied nine points off the bench for UIU Saturday.

The home team got out to a great start, leading 15-9, and led by six points at two different points in the half. However, trailing 33-28 with 8:07 to play, MSU went on a 10-3 run to close the half and take the lead in to the locker room, 38-36. Upper Iowa is now 2-5 when trailing at the intermission this season.

Minnesota State started to assert themselves on offense in the second half of the game, but it took them awhile to do so. Upper Iowa got off to another hot start, and extended their lead to as many as 12 points, 57-45, with 15:07 to play in the second half. But from that point, Minnesota State went on a 17-7 run to trim the deficit to two points, 64-62, with 9:27 remaining. The game went back and forth from then on out, and then the visitors went on the key run of the contest. MSU outscored the Peacocks 19-6 in the next 6:30 to take an 81-73 with 2:43 to play. UIU then got themselves back in the game with free throws and fouls, and with 14 seconds left, had a chance to potentially tie the game.

Down three points, MSU's Cameron Kirksey missed a free throw attempt, but on the rebound, the ball was tipped out off of UIU, and after a long replay discussion, the call stood. MSU had another chance to ice the game, and connected on a pair of free throws. UIU's Jareese Williams then hit two foul shots with 3 seconds left, and after a miss from MSU, Smoldt had one last heave at the buzzer than came up just short.

MSU held a 42-34 advantage in points in the paint, and capitalized for 15 second-chance points as well. Despite missing free throws, MSU outrebounded Upper Iowa 43-36 for the game.

The Peacocks will have a week off before heading to Winona, Minn. on Saturday, Dec. 16 for a rematch with the Warriors of Winona State University at 6 p.m. inside McCown Gymnasium. The team will then play a non-conference game against Bethany Lutheran College on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m.