SHORT SCOOP… Upper Iowa pulled off an incredible comeback win over Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday night. The Peacocks outscored the Mustangs 12-2 in the final moments of the game to come from behind and win 80-77. The victory marks the Peacocks sixth straight win and is the first time Upper Iowa has defeated SMSU since January 2017. Upper Iowa improves to 13-7 this season, 10-4 in the NSIC while SMSU falls to 6-14 overall, 3-11 in conference play.

CRUNCH TIME… With 1:19 on the clock, Nick Dufault sunk a three-pointer to give SMSU their largest lead of the game. Down 75-68, the Peacocks locked in and broke off on a 12-2 run to pull off a tremendous comeback. The stretch started with a three-pointer from Jareese Williams. Upper Iowa immediately fouled a Mustang who sunk both free throws. The Peacocks then scored nine unanswered points, five of which came from Jake Hilmer including a pivotal three-point play that put the Peacocks ahead by one point with 0:04 remaining. Lucas Duax was able to steal the ball away from the Mustangs on the ensuing possession. Hilmer then sunk two free throws to secure the victory for the Peacocks at 80-77.

HOW IT HAPPENED… Upper Iowa began the game ahead 13-4 with 16:06 to play in the first half thanks to a 10-0 run. The stretch was highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Williams. SMSU used an 11-5 advantage to cut the led down to one-possession as the score lay at 18-15 with 12:25 left to play. Upper Iowa extended their lead with a 13-5 run that featured eight points from Williams. The stretch put UIU up 38-29 with 5:05 left in the first half. The Peacocks maintained the advantage going into half as Upper Iowa led 45-37 at the break.

Upper Iowa held the advantage from the floor as they went 18-29 (62.1%) in the first half while SMSU went 13-27 (48.1%). UIU also saw more success from deep as they converted 8-16 (50%) attempts while SMSU posted a 3-8 (37.5%) rate from downtown. 

Williams led all scorers with 17 points at the break. He went an impressive 6-7 (85.7%) from the floor including 4-5 (80%) from beyond the arc and grabbed three rebounds. Hilmer tacked on 10 points going 4-7 (57.1%) from the field. He also dished out four assists and grabbed three rebounds during the first frame.

The Mustangs got back within one score after a 9-1 run put the score at 52-50 with 14:01 to go. The two teams went toe-to-toe until SMSU broke off on a 9-2 run that put them up 75-68 with 1:19 left on the clock. UIU's comeback began subsequently.

STATS OF THE GAME… 

• Upper Iowa went 3-5 (60%) from the field and 5-5 from the free-throw line during the 12-2 comeback run.

• The Peacocks outscored the Mustangs 20-6 on the fastbreak.

• SMSU tallied 14 turnovers compared to 10 registered by UIU.

PEACOCKS OF THE GAME… 

• Williams posted a career-high 24 points while shooting 8-12 (66.7%) from the floor including 5-8 (62.5%) from beyond the arc. Williams also came down with a team-high five rebounds on the night.

• Hilmer had 19 points while shooting 6-12 (50%) from the floor and 5-5 from the charity stripe. He also dished out seven assists, grabbed three boards and had two steals.

• Jackson Joens tacked on 14 points as he shot 5-9 (55.6%) from the field including 4-6 (66.7%) from deep. Joens also had four rebounds.

• Joshua Carter added 10 points shooting 4-8 (50%) from the floor and grabbing two boards.

• Duax had a career-high five assists as well as three points, two rebounds and two steals on the evening.

UP NEXT… The Peacocks will return home to host St. Cloud State University on Jan. 31 and the University of Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 1.