THE SHORT SCOOP… Upper Iowa defeated Bemidji State University by a 105-93 count on Friday night. The victory was Upper Iowa's third straight win and their sixth straight victory at home. Joshua Carter recorded the first Peacock double-double of 2019-20 as he finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the double-overtime win. Upper Iowa improves to 10-7 on the year, 7-4 in conference play while Bemidji State falls to 8-7 this season, 5-6 in NSIC games following the loss.

DOUBLE OVERTIME… The game stood tied at 88 as the second overtime period began. A pair of free throws from Carter sparked a 14-3 advantage that buried the Beavers. The Peacocks went 11-11 from the charity stripe during the stretch while Bemidji struggled to score going 0-7 from the floor and 3-6 from the free throw line. The run put Upper Iowa ahead 102-91 with 38 seconds left on the clock. UIU converted three out of four free throw attempts matched by a layup from BSU in the last few moments of the game resulting in the 105-93 final. 

FIRST HALF… Bemidji State got out to a double-digit lead after a 14-2 stretch. The run included nine unanswered points and put the Beavers up 22-12 with 12:47 to play in the first half. Upper Iowa then held a 15-4 advantage of their own. The stretch included seven unanswered points and was highlighted by eight points from Joe Smoldt. The run put the Peacocks up 42-40 with 1:40 left in the first frame. Upper Iowa held onto the lead heading into half ahead by a 46-42 count.

SECOND HALF… The Peacocks carried their momentum into the second half. An 8-0 stretch fueled by a pair of three-pointers from Jake Hilmer extended the lead to double-digits as UIU went up 54-42 with 17:42 to play. Bemidji State responded with a 10-0 run to cut their deficit down to two points putting the game at 54-52 with 14:18 left in regulation. Upper Iowa went ahead by double figures again after a 12-2 stretch put the Peacocks up 66-54 with 10:28 to play. The run was fueled by a combined nine points from Hilmer and Cade Moritz. Bemidji State held a 15-6 advantage in the final 5:31 tying the game at 76 and forcing overtime. Nick Wagner had five unanswered points in the final 24 seconds propelling the Beavers back into the game

OVERTIME… Lucas Duax started the period for Upper Iowa with a pair of layups. After that point it was all Moritz as he tallied eight points including the free throw that forced double overtime. Bemidji State went ahead 85-83 with 2:10 to play in OT following five unanswered points. A Beaver free throw split a pair of Moritz' buckets putting the Peacocks up 87-86 with a minute to play. Bemidji State responded with a layup again claiming the lead before Moritz sunk a free throw tying the game at 88 and forcing a second overtime period.

STATS OF THE GAME… 

• Upper Iowa's reserves out scored Bemidji State's bench 41-9.

• The Peacocks out shot the Beavers in every category: UIU went 35-80 (43.8%) from the field compared to 36-89 (40.4%) from BSU, UIU went 10-32 (31.3%) from three-point range while BSU went 10-40 (25.0%), from the charity stripe UIU converted 25-35 (71.4%) attempts compared to an 11-17 (64.7%) mark posted by BSU.

• BSU (22) committed twice the turnovers UIU (11) had on the night.

• Upper Iowa had five double-digit scorers: Smoldt (21), Moritz (20), Hilmer (18), Carter (16), and Duax (14).

PEACOCKS OF THE GAME… 

• Moritz went a perfect 8-8 from the floor including 2-2 from long range en route to a career-high 20 points. He also registered a career-high six blocks and had four rebounds on the night.

• Carter went for 16 points and 10 boards on his way to the first Upper Iowa double-double of the season. He additionally tacked on two steals. Carter's 10 rebounds are a career-high and the highest total posted by a Peacock this season.

• Hilmer scored 18 points, went 4-6 from downtown, dished out six assists and snatched two steals.

• Smoldt scored 21 points, 16 of which in the first half where he led all scorers. He also tallied four rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

• Duax added 14 points and posted career-highs in rebounds with eight and steals with four as well as dishing out three assists.

UP NEXT… UIU will host the University of Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m. Live stats and a webcast will be available at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE. The game will also stream live on the NSIC app through Roku and Fire devices, as well as Apple and Android TV. Fans are encouraged to dress up 90's clothing on for Throwback Day. The game also marks Alumni Day for both basketball programs. Alumni for each team will be recognized during halftime of their respective games.