THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK BASKETBALL... The Upper Iowa men's basketball team returns to action Sunday afternoon when the Peacocks make their return to Dorman Gym and take on the Winona State Warriors. The Peacocks are looking to get back to .500 after falling to 5-6 following last week's 90-105 loss to #15 Missouri Southern. The Warriors took the first meeting of the year between these two sides, topping Upper Iowa 50-72.
LAST TIME OUT... The Peacocks are coming off a hard-fought loss to #15. Missouri Southern in their final non-conference game of the season. Kyle Haber and Chris Olson paced the Peacock offense with a pair of 20-point games while Jareese Williams also turned in a strong performance with 19 points of his own. In addition to his 22 points, Kyle Haber also pulled in 9 boards and knocked down 4 shots from beyond the arc. Upper Iowa hit nine three-pointers, the first time in four games that the Peacocks have not reached double-digits. However, the Peacocks were able to record a season high 36 points in the paint against the Lions.
SHARING IS CARING... This season, Upper Iowa has spread the wealth on the offensive side of the ball. Chris Olson (.559) and Kyle Haber (.513) are leading the Peacocks in three-point percentage, while Munachiso Okonkwo (.576) and Jareese Williams (.519) have the best percentage from the field. Williams is also the leading point scorer for the Peacocks, averaging 14.9 points per game and followed by Joe Smoldt who is averaging 12.4 points. On the other end of the floor, Okonkwo is pacing Upper Iowa with 5.7 boards per game, followed closely by Haber who is averaging 5.4.
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS... The Warriors took the first game between these two sides 50-72 when the Peacocks traveled to Winona for the first NSIC game of the season. Like the Peacocks, Winona State has recorded a 5-6 record and have gone 2-3 against NSIC opponents. The Warrior's leading scorer, Kevion Taylor, gave the Peacocks a bit of trouble in their last meeting, recording 20 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Both teams are currently tied in the bottom half of the NSIC South.
