THE SHORT SCOOP… Upper Iowa defeated Wayne State University in Saturday night's showdown. The Peacocks evened the season series against the Wildcats with tonight's victory, UIU previously suffered a 19-point loss to Wayne State in December on the road. Tonight was the second consecutive game Upper Iowa beat a team they had previously lost to by double-digits this season. The game was also the Peacocks' fifth straight win at home. With the victory, Upper Iowa improves to 9-7, 6-4 in the NSIC. Wayne State falls to 6-13 on the year, 3-7 in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED... Wayne State started the night on a 14-4 run. Following the stretch, Upper Iowa held a 24-9 advantage including 14 unanswered points that put the Peacocks up 28-23 with 3:50 to play in the first half. Two three-pointers from Jake Hilmer helped fuel the run. The Peacocks held onto the lead heading into the half by a score of 37-35.
Upper Iowa's free throw shooting helped gain the lead. UIU went 8-12 (66.7%) from the charity stripe compared to a 3-5 (60%) mark posted by Wayne State. The Peacocks (15) also held the advantage over the Wildcats (6) in bench points. Hilmer led the Peacocks with eight points at the break.
After the teams traded baskets for the first eight minutes, Upper Iowa was able to extend their lead to double-digits following a 22-6 advantage that included a 13-2 run. The stretch put the Peacocks ahead 72-59 with 5:51 to go. A trio of trifectas from Jareese Williams highlighted the UIU run.Â
The Wildcats clawed back into the game with a 13-6 run of their own. The stretch put Wayne State within two scores of the Upper Iowa lead. The score stood at 78-73 with just 1:08 to play. However, the Wildcats couldn't convert on any of their final three possessions resulting in the 80-73 Peacocks' win.
STATS OF THE GAME…Â
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Upper Iowa out rebounded Wayne State 35-33.
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The Peacocks' reserves outscored the Wildcats' bench 28-10.
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Wayne State (14) committed twice as many turnovers as Upper Iowa (7).
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UIU had five double-digit scorers on the night: Hilmer (15), Joe Smoldt (13), Williams (11), Lucas Duax (10) and Joshua Carter (10).
PEACOCKS OF THE GAME…Â
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Duax … 10 points, 4/7 (57.1%) from the field, three rebounds, five assists, two steals
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Hilmer … 15 points, four rebounds, four assists
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Smoldt … 13 points, three rebounds, two steals
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Williams … 11 points, four rebounds
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Carter … 10 points, 4/8 (50%) from the field, three rebounds
QUOTABLE...Â
UP NEXT… Upper Iowa will continue it's homestand next weekend. The Peacocks will take on Bemidji State University on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. UIU will then host the University of Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m. Live options will be available at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE.
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