For the third time this season, Munachiso Okonkwo reached the 20-point mark but it was not enough to lead the Peacocks past the USF Cougars on Friday night. Friday's 81-72 loss to the Cougars drops Upper Iowa's record to 6-13 on the season and 3-10 in NSIC matchups. 

Defensively, the Peacocks were able to contain one of the NSIC's top scorers in Trevon Evans, limiting him to just 4-14 from the field. However, Drew Guebert and Justin Taylor were there to pick him up with 26 points apiece. 

The Peacocks trailed by as many as 11 in the second half and were able to cut the gap to two points thanks to a 15-6 run. During that stretch, Upper Iowa went 10-12 from the stripe. with Jackson Foley hitting all four of his shots from the line. The Peacocks went 21-26 from the charity stripe against the Cougars, the third time this season that UIU has made 20 or more free throws. 

Munachiso Okonkwo led Upper Iowa's scoring efforts with 20 points, the third time this year and fourth of his career that he has surpassed the 20-point mark. Jareese Williams put up 14 points against the USF, the fifth straight game where Williams has recorded ten or more points for the Peacocks.

UIU struggled from beyond the arc on Friday night, an area where the Peacock offense usually excels. Upper Iowa hit 7 of their 25 attempts from three-point land, their lowest shooting percentage since December 30th against Winona State. Jackson Joens, Quentin Blaue, and Jareese Williams each buried two long-range shots and Kyle Haber connected on one of his three attempts. 

The Peacocks will look to turn things around on Saturday night when they host the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Tip off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 5:30pm and can be viewed at UIUpeacocks.com/live and will also be aired locally on KCRG-TV 9.3.