Upper Iowa defeated the University of Minnesota Crookston by a 104-92 count on Saturday evening. The game was the second consecutive night that the Peacocks scored at least 100 points and the fourth time they have scored 100+ this season. With the win Upper Iowa improves to 11-7 this season, 8-4 in conference play while Minnesota Crookston falls to 8-10 overall, 4-8 in the NSIC. The Peacocks are now in sole possession of second place in the NSIC South Division. The victory is Upper Iowa's fourth straight win. The win also makes UIU a perfect 7-0 against NSIC opponents at home this season.
The game featured a new Peacock starting five for the first time in 14 games, Joshua Carter was unable to play due to injury. Lucas Duax got the start in his place while Cade Moritz and Dylan Jones filled his presence in the paint.Â
The Golden Eagles got out to an 8-2 lead in the first 1:30 of play. Upper Iowa then held a 14-7 advantage to go ahead 16-15 with 13:28 left in the half. Moritz fueled the stretch with six points. The teams went toe-to-toe for the remainder of the half. UIU capitalized on an 8-0 run that put the Peacocks up by five with two minutes to play in the first frame. Upper Iowa held onto their lead as the score stood at 45-42 in favor of Upper Iowa at the break.
Upper Iowa out rebounded Minnesota Crookston 19-16 in the first half. Jackson Joens led the Peacocks with 11 points. Joens went 4-6 from the floor including 3-5 from deep in the first frame.
The Peacocks extended their lead to double-digits to begin the second half. A 10-3 run put Upper Iowa ahead 55-45 with 17:54 to play. Jake Hilmer and Dylan Jones combined for all ten points scored during the stretch. The Golden Eagles got within one possession of the Peacocks' lead when a 10-2 run made the score 78-76 with 7:20 remaining on the clock.
Upper Iowa immediately broke off on a 9-2 run that put them up 87-78 with 5:19 to play. The stretch provided a cushion for the Peacocks as UIU led by at least six points from that point on. Upper Iowa made 11 out of 12 free throw attempts and converted a pair of layups in the final 3:33 while the Golden Eagles posted 16 points during the stretch resulting in the 102-94 Upper Iowa win.
STATS OF THE GAME…Â
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Upper Iowa out scored Minnesota Crookston 29-12 on fast breaks.
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The Peacock reserves out scored the Golden Eagle bench 44-31.
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UIU went 36-64 (56.3%) from the field compared to a 33-64 (51.6%) mark posted by UMC.
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Upper Iowa dished out 25 assists while Minnesota Crookston registered 14.
PEACOCKS OF THE GAME…Â
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Hilmer scored 20 points going 6-8 (75%) from the field including a perfect 4-4 from downtown as well as a 4-4 showing at the line. Hilmer also dished out a game-high seven assists and came down with two boards.
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Joens led UIU with 22 points. He went 8-13 (61.5%) from the field including 6-11 (54.6%) from beyond the arc. Joens also recorded two assists on the night.
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Moritz continue to shine scoring 16 points and grabbing a career-high eight rebounds. Mortiz went 7-9 (77.8%) from the field and dished out three assists.Â
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Jareese Williams scored 16 points, went 6-6 from the charity stripe, matched his career-high in rebounds with eight and registered two assists on the evening.
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Jones scored 11 points going 5-6 (83.3%) from the field, he also had three rebounds.
UP NEXT… We have reached the end of Upper Iowa's four-game homestand. Upper Iowa will now hit the road to face University of Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State University on Jan. 24 & 25.
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