Upper Iowa fell 81-79 Saturday afternoon in a non-conference bout versus Winona State University. Dylan Jones scored a career-high 18 points in the loss. Following the game, Upper Iowa falls to 2-3 overall, 0-2 in the NSIC while Winona State improves to 1-1.

A barrage of three-point makes gave Winona State a 10-point lead midway through the first half. A pair of trifectas from Andrea Lo Biondo gave WSU an initial 8-1 advantage. The Warriors drained five more deep balls including two from Connor Dillion to put Winona up 27-17 with 10:29 to play. The Peacocks then burst out a 10-0 run of their own to get within one score. Jareese Williams and Jones combined to go a perfect 3-3 from the floor and 2-2 from the free throw line to make the game 29-27 with 7:46 on the clock. Winona broke off on a 9-0 stretch to gain separation via a 10-point lead with 3:51 left in the first frame. The Warriors carried the advantage up unitl halftime as they led 51-43 at the break. 

Both teams had impeccable clips in the first frame. Winona went 18-29 (62.1%) from the floor, 9-16 (56.3%) from beyond the arc, and 6-6 from the charity stripe. UIU trailed closely behind at all three levels with a 15-27 (55.6%) mark from the field, 7-16 (43.8%) rate from downtown, and a 6-9 (66.7%) performance at the line. Williams led all scorers with 13 points on a 5-10 (50%) rate from the field. Jones added 10 on a perfect 3-3 from the floor and a 3-4 (75%) mark from the charity stripe. The two teams were evenly matched on the boards, UIU registered 10 while Winona brought down 11, and turnovers with seven apiece in the first half of action. Winona State's bench outscored UIU's reserves 25-5.

Winona State began the second half on a 10-2 run extending their lead up to 16, the largest advantage of the day. Upper Iowa immediately retaliated with a 9-0 stretch making it 61-54 with 14:38 left to play. The hot hands wore off for both squads in the second half. UIU went 5-18 (27.8%) from the floor while WSU went 5-15 (33.3%) during the first 10 minutes of the second frame. The Peacocks produced a 10-3 run that got them within two possessions. The stretch was highlighted by four points from Jones and made it 69-64 with 9:02 on the clock. 

Upper Iowa fought back into the game again sprinting out on an 11-3 stretch that put UIU within two points. The run was fueled by five points from Joe Smoldt and put the game at 81-79 with 2:12 to go. After exchanging misses, a traveling violation called on Winona's leading scorer this season, Kevion Taylor, gave Upper Iowa the final possession. Smoldt missed a mid-range jumper prior to a pair of Peacocks diving on the floor winning the jump ball, possession, and one more chance to tie the game or claim victory. Williams was unable to connect on the potential game-winning trifecta ending the game 81-79 in favor of Winona State.

STATS OF THE GAME… 

• Upper Iowa held the advantage on the boards for the first time this season (32-30 including 9-4 on the offensive end).

• The Warriors' bench accounted for 34 of their 81 points while the Peacocks relied heavily on their starting five to score.

• UIU committed just two turnovers in the second-half while forcing seven.

PEACOCKS OF THE GAME… 

• Jones scored a career-high 18 points on a 5-7 (71.4%) rate from the floor and a 7-8 (87.5%) from the charity stripe.

• Smoldt scored 18 thanks to a 4-8 rate from deep in addition to registering five boards and three assists.

• Williams scored 18 points, came down with three rebounds, and dished out two assists.

• Lucas Duax has 11 points, five rebounds, and four steals.

UP NEXT… The Peacocks will return to the court for a rematch with the Cougars tomorrow Sunday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m.