Upper Iowa rallied from a 12-point, first-half deficit to post a 69-66 win over Pittsburg State University on Sunday afternoon in Kansas City. The Peacocks improved to 2-0 on the season thanks to four players in double-figures scoring and big advantages in second-chance points (17-4) and points in the paint (34-22).
 
"It was a great start to the season," said Head Coach Brooks McKowen. "We played two very talented teams and found a way to win both games. I'm proud of how we competed all weekend. We were able to win two completely different kinds of games. Multiple guys made plays at different moments each night."
 
The Gorillas jumped out to an early 7-0 lead as they held the offensive-minded Peacocks without a point until Jake Hilmer knocked down a pair of free throws more than three minutes into the contest. Pitt State continued to control the next ten minutes as they slowly pushed out to a 12-point lead, 28-16.
 
Upper Iowa answered with an 8-0 run included four free throws from Hilmer and a pair of inside buckets by Cade Moritz and Connor Duax. The teams exchanged points of the final few minutes of the half when a lay up by Max Duax brought UIU within two, 30-28, with 27 seconds to play in the half. Pitt State had the last word of the frame with a three-pointer to set a five-point margin at the break, 33-28.
 
Early in the second half, the Gorillas were able to extend their lead back to 40-31 after just two minutes of action. The Peacocks found their stride and began a rally fueled by their all-conference seniors. Joe Smoldt knocked down a three and Jareese Williams followed with a long-range bullseye and a dunk after a PSU turnover. A three-point play and a lay in by Hilmer tied the game, 44-44, with fifteen minutes to play. The Peacocks kept the heat on and pushed their lead to six, 52-46, when Williams converted an and-one, Smoldt canned another jumper and Connor Duax hit a three-pointer.
 
UIU kept their lead at seven points through the 6:19 mark on the clock after a dunk by Dylan Jones, but Pitt State pushed back and began to cut into the Peacock lead. The Gorillas tied the game at 62-62 after going on a 7-0 run, but Upper Iowa didn't buckle under the pressure. A lay up from Moritz and another trifecta from Smoldt provided UIU with some breathing room to survive and win the game 69-66.
 
Hilmer led the team in scoring with 15 and added four assists, while Connor Duax came off the bench for 14 points and four rebounds. Both Williams and Jones netted 10 points apiece, while Williams grabbed a game-high 10 boards for a double-double and Jones snagged 5 rebounds. Smoldt scored 8 points and picked up six rebounds. Moritz made a big impact off the bench as well with six points and eight rebounds.
 
As a team, Upper Iowa knocked down 16 shots in the second half after only getting nine to fall in during the first 20 minutes. UIU also shot markedly better from deep converting 4-11 in the second half compared to 2-9 in the first. For the game, the Peacocks dominated the glass collecting 44 rebounds including 13 on the offensive end led by Max Duax's effort grabbing five on the offensive glass.
 
Next weekend, the Peacocks will play a pair of game in Kenosha, Wis. Upper Iowa will take on Davenport University on Friday night, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. and then battle the University of Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m.