Upper Iowa won their first game of the season in a thrilling 73-62 win versus Pittsburg State University. Upper Iowa was fueled by two big second half runs that pushed them ahead of Pittsburg State after trailing heading into the half. The Peacocks were the first NSIC team to win a game at the Central Region Challenge as Minnesota State University-Mankato and Winona State University both suffered losses to their MIAA opponents earlier on in the day.
Jareese Williams kicked things off for Upper Iowa, scoring the team's first points of the season with a three point shot from the corner one minute into the first half tying the game at three. After starting the game from behind, Upper Iowa took the lead for the first time with 10:45 to go in the first half when Williams hit a jump shot for his fifth point of the game putting the Peacocks up 13-11. Upper Iowa held onto that lead until 4:08 remained in the first half when Pitt State went ahead 26-25. The Gorillas held onto the lead going into half by a score of 33-27. The teams went head to head in the first half, neither team led by more than six points.
Jareese Williams had a strong first half going 4-8 from the field and 3-5 from three point range to score a team high 11 first half points. Josh Carter made his presence felt in the paint grabbing a game high six rebounds in the first half. Pitt State had eleven turnovers in the first half compared to just nine made by Upper Iowa.Â
The Gorilla's momentum continued into the second half of play. The team scored two unanswered buckets to start the half. The 7-0 run put Pitt State up 37-27 with 19:18 to go in the game. Three quick layups from Cade Moritz, Joe Smoldt and Jake Hilmer followed by a three from Williams put the Peacocks right back into the game. The four scores were met with just one basket from Pitt State allowing Upper Iowa to get within three putting the game at 39-36 with 16:29 left to play.
The Peacocks regained the lead 47-45 with 11:44 to play when Hillmer drained two free throws. The teams exchanged a pair of baskets before Upper Iowa went on a 12-2 run to go ahead by seven with 10:41 left in the contest. The Peacocks continued their second half dominance and reached the largest lead of the day when Smoldt sunk a layup to top off an 11-2 run and put the Peacocks up 68-54 with 4:51 to go.Â
Upper Iowa finished the game strong to end their first game of the year with a 73-62 victory.
TURNING POINT … The Peacocks 9-2 run early on in the second half put the team within three points of Pittsburg State. After that moment, the team continued to play aggressively which lead to another two runs that eventually flipped the game putting Upper Iowa up by double digits.
PEACOCK OF THE GAME … Jareese Williams got off to a red hot start for the Peacocks in the first half. He cooled down a bit in the second half but his efficient play and team high 17 points earn him Peacock of the game. In addition to being the high scorer, Williams grabbed five rebounds, shot 50% from the field and made zero turnovers in the game.
STATS OF THE GAME …Â
- The Upper Iowa bench outscored the Pittsburg State bench 27-8.
- Upper Iowa had four double digit scorers: Jareese Williams (17), Jake Hilmer (12), Dylan Jones (10), and Jackson Joens (10).
- Pittsburg State (43) barely beat out Upper Iowa (41) in the boards battle. Both teams had players grab 10+ rebounds, Pittsburg's Christian Edmondson had 18 and Upper Iowa's Joshua Carter had 10.
- Jake Hilmer's seven assists was the game high between both teams.
- Upper Iowa outshot their opponent in many ways including 41.2% compared to 39.1% from the field, 34.5% compared to 21.7% from three point range as well as 70% compared to 63.6% from the foul line.
- Pittsburg State (18) commited five more turnovers than Upper Iowa (13), UIU (23)Â capitalized off this scoring 10 more points off of turnovers than PSU (13).
UP NEXT … Upper Iowa will play Lincoln University in their second and final game of the Central Region Preview on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 6:45 p.m. Live stats are available at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE.
Â
