Upper Iowa defeated Minnesota State University - Mankato by a 89-81 count on Friday night. With the win, the Peacocks guarantee a top-two finish in the NSIC South. The possibility of an NSIC South Title is still alive as the division-leading University of Sioux Falls lost by a 61-58 count to Augustana University earlier in the evening. The victory gives the Peacocks a 2-0 record against the Mavericks this season. Following the win, Upper Iowa improves to 18-9 overall and 15-6 in the NSIC while Minnesota State drops to 14-13, 12-9 in conference play.

Upper Iowa began the game on a 10-5 advantage, eight of the 10 points scored during the stretch came from Joe Smoldt. Minnesota State followed with a 9-0 run to take a 14-10 lead with 12:56 left to play in the first half. The Mavericks used a 9-2 run to extend their lead to double-digits as the stretch put MSU up 34-24 with 5:00 on the clock. Minnesota State held onto their advantage for the remainder of the frame, the score stood at 43-31 at the break. 

The Mavericks shot 17-29 (58.6%) from the field on their home court compared to a 10-34 (29.4%) rate posted by the Peacocks. Minnesota State (25) nearly doubled Upper Iowa's (11) rebound total in the first half. UIU however, committed just four turnovers compared to 11 made by MSU.

Smoldt led the Peacocks with 17 points in the first half. He went 6-11 (54.5%) from the field including 5-8 (62.5%) from beyond the arc. 

UIU out scored MSU 38-10 in a 9:06 span (16:26 - 7:20) during the second half. Upper Iowa first erupted on a 26-5 run that put the Peacocks ahead 62-56 with 10:25 remaining. Four trifectas from Jackson Joens fueled the stretch providing 12 of the 26 points. A 12-3 run then gave the Peacocks a double figure advantage. The stretch was highlighted by eight points from Jake Hilmer and put UIU ahead 74-61 with 7:20 left on the clock.

Minnesota State retaliated with a 9-2 run that narrowed Upper Iowa's lead down to 76-70 with 5:07 to play. However, Upper Iowa would lead by at least five points for the rest of the game resulting in the 89-81 UIU victory.

STATS OF THE GAME… 

• Upper Iowa held the advantage from three-point range as they went 14-28 (50%) from downtown compared to a 7-22 (31.8%) rate posted by Minnesota State. Hilmer, Smoldt and Joens combined to go 14-20 (70.0%) from long range.

• The Peacocks outscored the Mavericks 27-10 off of turnovers.

• UIU's reserves outscored the MSU bench 29-7.

PEACOCKS OF THE GAME… 

• Hilmer scored 21 points on a 6-12 (50%) rate from the field including a 5-6 (83.3%) mark from long-distance. Hilmer also went 4-4 from the charity stripe in addition to tallying seven assists and two steals on the night.

• Smoldt matched the team-high of 21 points. He shot 7-12 (58.3%) from the field including 5-8 (62.5%) from deep as well as 2-2 from the free throw line. He also grabbed four boards.

• Lucas Duax scored 14 points on a 6-10 (60%) rate from the field. Duax also tallied five steals, three assists, two rebounds and a block.

• Joens scored 12 points as he went 4-6 (66.7%) from three-point land. 

• Joshua Carter scored 10 points and came down with three boards.

UP NEXT… Upper Iowa will head to St. Paul, Minn. where they will play Concordia University, St. Paul on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m. Live stats and a webcast for 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.