THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK MEN'S BASKETBALL ... Upper Iowa men's basketball will continue their road trip at the Fairfield Inn Classic hosted by the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. The Peacocks will again take on a pair of MIAA opponents. Upper Iowa's first matchup is against the tournament host, the Central Missouri Mules on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m. The Peacocks will then face off against the University of Central Oklahoma on Sunday, November. 17 at 2:00 p.m. Live options including a webcast, audio and live stats are available at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE.
LEAGUE LEADERS … Jareese Williams was named an NSIC week one top performer after shooting 47.1% (8 for 17) from three, averaging 16 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as Upper Iowa split their two games at the Central Region Challenge. Williams was Upper Iowa's leading scorer in each game. Williams 47.1% three point percentage is the eighth highest in the NSIC.
Jake Hilmer's 5.0 assists per game is currently tied for the second best in the NSIC. Hilmer had seven in his UIU debut against Pittsburg State University.
JUMPSHOT "JOENS" … Jackson Joens made an impact off of the bench for Upper Iowa during the opening weekend. Joens averaged 11 points and shot 60% from the field while committing just one turnover in 14.5 minutes per game.
SWEET START … Upper Iowa won their first game of the 2019-20 season by a double-digit margin. Their opponent, Pittsburg State led 33-27 at half. The Gorillas maintained their lead for the first eight minutes of the second half, at one point Pittsburg State was ahead by ten points. Upper Iowa went up for the first time with 11:44 remaining and never looked back. The Peacocks went ahead on a 15-2 run highlighted by two three pointers from Dylan Jones and five points from Josh Carter. The run put Upper Iowa up 55-47 with 9:18 to play. The Gorillas briefly battled back but another big run from the Peacocks put an end to the rally. The 11-2 run was fueled by five points from Jackson Joens resulting in a 68-54 count with 4:51 to go. The deficit was too big for Pittsburg State to overcome, ending the game at 73-62 in favor of Upper Iowa.
CLOSE CALL … Upper Iowa suffered a hard-fought loss to Lincoln University in game two of the Central Region Challenge. The first half was a physical battle that featured six lead changes, the largest lead was just a six-point advantage for Lincoln with 11:55 to play. The Peacocks immediately went on a 14-5 run to go ahead 24-21 with 4:24 on the clock. The run was fueled by six points from Cade Moritz. The teams exchanged buckets until halftime where Upper Iowa trailed 29-27. The Tigers went on a 9-0 run to start the second half, going up 38-27 with 16:52 left to play. Upper Iowa answered with a 10-2 run to get within four. Two layups from Lucas Duax and six quick points from Joens put the game at 43-39 with 11:42 to go. The game of runs continued as Lincoln scored eight unanswered points, the 12-point lead was the largest of the day. The Peacocks clawed their way back thanks to a 10-0 run highlighted by two three-pointers from Jareese Williams, the game stood at 51-49 with 5:42 left to play. Lincoln secured their one score advantage throughout the final five minutes ending the game in a 61-59 Upper Iowa loss after UIU's final possession did not result in a shot attempt.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS…Â
THE MULES… Central Missouri finished with a 14-14 (7-12 in MIAA play) record last season. The Mules began the 2019-20 season by hosting the Central Region Tip Off Classic. At the classic, the team fell to 0-2 after losing games to NSIC opponents, Southwest Minnesota State University (62-58) and Augustana University (76-72) by just four points a piece. Upper Iowa will hope to continue the trend and give the Mules their third consecutive loss from an NSIC foe this season. Central Missouri was selected sixth out of 14 teams in the MIAA coaches preseason poll, one spot ahead of Lincoln who Upper Iowa fell to on Saturday and two spots ahead of Pittsburg State whom the Peacocks defeated on Friday. The Mules have two returning contributors this season, junior guard Daniel Farris and senior forward Matt Wilkinson. Farris averaged 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in addition to shooting .462 from the field last season in 28 games played. Wilkinson had 7.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting .447 from the field in 27 games played.
THE BRONCOS… Central Oklahoma finished with a 11-17 (4-15 in MIAA play) record last season. So far the Broncos are 1-2 in the 2019-20 season, the team suffered losses to the University of Mary (64-56) in overtime and Northwestern Oklahoma State University (63-55) before picking up their first victory of the year against Oklahoma Christian University (63-44). UCO was selected 13th out of 14 teams in the MIAA coaches preseason poll. The Broncos have nearly an entire new roster with just three players returning to the team. So far this season, Justin Nimmer has been the driving force of Central Oklahoma's offense, averaging 13 points and 5 rebounds while shooting .469 from the field in the Broncos first three games.
