The Peacock men's basketball team found their offensive groove on Saturday night in Minot, N.D. in their biggest win of the season to date. Upper Iowa earned their first win over a nationally-ranked or receiving votes opponent since Jan. 7, 2017 in a 99-89 victory over the Beavers of Minot State University. It was the second-highest point total of the season for UIU, and their best offensive night against a Northern Sun Conference opponent in 2017-18. The second half was the difference, as the Peacocks scored 57 points in the half to pull away late. With the win, Upper Iowa improves to 13-12 overall and 6-10 in the NSIC, while Minot State drops to 17-5 on the year and 11-5 in league play.

The offense was the story of the night for UIU, as they shot 64% from the floor for the game, including 50% (17-34) from behind the arc. Freshman Joe Smoldt and redshirt junior Dennis Austin III each led the way with 18 points apiece, and both were extremely efficient. Smoldt connected on 5-9 including 4-7 from distance, while Austin III used his signature inside game to convert 8-12 from the floor. Munachiso Okonkwo was right behind his teammates with 17 points on the night, and missed just one shot in the process (7-8). The junior's offensive night was the second-highest of the season, and his six rebounds played a big factor as well. Kam Rowan had one of his best nights with 16 points off the bench and a team-best 8 boards. Rowan was close to a triple-double for the game with a game-high nine assists as well. Carson Parker only scored nine points in the win, but added eight assists to help command the offense in other ways. Quentin Blaue added 7 points for UIU as well.

Minot State grabbed the early lead on Saturday, jumping out to a seven-point advantage four minutes into the ballgame. However, Rowan and Mitch Eighme fueled an 8-0 Peacock run to get right back in it, and the teams went back and forth the rest of the half. UIU connected on 15-27 from the field in the first 20 minutes, while the Beavers hit 17-31. Minot State added 7 three-pointers in the period to pull ahead 45-42 at halftime, and the Peacocks were staring at the wrong end of the barrel. Entering the game, Upper Iowa was 2-10 this season when trailing at the intermission. UIU changed added one more win to that record Saturday night.

The offense exploded with 57 second-half points, and shot 21-29 (72.4%) from the floor, by far their best half of the season. The team only took four shots from behind the arc in the period, and hit two of them. The key stat of the night came in points in the paint, as UIU held an overwhelming 56-28 advantage. The visitors made 20 trips to the foul line in the final half as well, and despite only connecting on 10, continued to make things difficult for Tyler Rudolph and the Beavers inside.

Defensively, Upper Iowa held Minot State's leader Tyler Rudolph, the second-leading scorer in the NSIC, to just 13 points on 6-14 from the field. The Beavers still scored 88 points and shot 52% from the floor, but could not keep up with the Peacocks on Saturday. Upper Iowa held a rebounding edge, 31-27, and improved to 9-1 on the year when they out-rebound their opponent.

The win was significant for the Peacocks; UIU stays withing a game back of the Wayne State Wildcats in the NSIC South division, and has one more game to play against WSC. Upper Iowa also has their second three-game winning streak of the season, but their first since the opening three games of the year in California.

The Peacocks will try to keep their upset-minded way next weekend as they return to Fayette to host a pair of NSIC North opponents. Upper Iowa will take on the No. 7 Wolves of Northern State University on Friday, Feb. 2 before facing the Dragons of Minnesota State University Moorhead on Saturday, Feb. 3. Friday night's game gets underway at 8 p.m., while Saturday's contest tips off at 6 p.m.