After UIU regained the lead in the final seven seconds of regulation against Minnesota State, the Mavericks hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to top the Peacocks 77-75.
Joe Smoldt led the offensive efforts for Upper Iowa with 26 points on a 10-18 night. The loss drops UIU's record to 6-21 (3-18 NSIC) while Minnesota State improves to 18-9 (14-7), fighting to secure the top spot in the NSIC South.
The first half saw back-and-forth action with the Mavericks and Peacocks exchange the lead 15 times and neither team getting ahead by more than five points. Smoldt was the leading scorer in his explosive first half, recording 19 points and knocking down five shots from three-point land. UIU took a slim 42-40 lead into the halftime break.
The Peacocks were able to maintain their halftime lead until MSU's Kevin Krieger knocked down a pair of free throws to even the score at 72. The Mavericks would work their way to a one-point advantage with 13 ticks left on the clock. Smoldt worked his way free and buried a mid-range jumper with less than seven seconds left in regulation. MSU marched down the court and Krieger fired a three-point prayer at the buzzer to put the Mavericks on top 77-75.
The Peacocks controlled the ball of the glass, outrebounding their opponents 37-34.
Cade Moritz and
Kyle Haber were the top rebounders for UIU, each pulling down seven boards while Okonkwo claimed six.
Of Smoldt's 26 points on the night, 18 of them came from three-pointers, going 6-11 from long distance. The Peacocks shot 44 percent on three-point attempts against the Mavericks. Along with Smoldt's six makes,
Kyle Haber added three,
Jareese Williams had two, and
Jackson Joens knocked down his lone three-point attempt.
Haber joined Smoldt in the double-figure column, finishing the night with 13 points. Okonkwo scored nine against MSU, all coming in the second half.
Upper Iowa outshot their opponents in all aspects of the game. The Peacocks shot 48.4 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from three, and 75 percent from the line while the Mavericks shot 44.4 percent, 37 percent, and 68.8 percent respectively.
The Mavericks offense was led by a pair of 22-point performances by Kevin Krieger and Cameron Kirksey. Along with Kirksey's 22 points, he also pulled in a team high 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.
The Peacocks will look to end the regular season on a high note, taking on Concordia – St. Paul on Saturday. Prior to Saturday's tilt against the Golden Bears, the Upper Iowa men's basketball program will recognize their two Peacock seniors,
Munachiso Okonkwo and
Quentin Blaue, who will be playing in their final home game for the Peacocks. Tip off against CSP is scheduled to start at 5:30pm and can be viewed at UIUpeacocks.com/live and will be aired locally on KCRG-TV 9.2.
