Upper Iowa defeated Concordia University, St. Paul by a 84-76 count on Friday night for its fourth consecutive victory. A pair of Peacocks met or matched their career-highs in steals as Lucas Duax and Jareese Williams registered six and three, respectively. With the win, UIU improves to 6-5 overall, 4-3 in NSIC play while CSP falls to 1-8, 0-5 in conference play. The loss extends the Golden Bears' losing streak to eight games.
After a competitive start to the first half, Upper Iowa scored nine unanswered points to claim a 23-20 lead with 6:48 remaining. The Peacocks held onto their advantage leading 39-35 at the break. Lucas Duax snatched four first-half steals including two in the first 1:25 of the game. Jareese Williams accounted for the remainder of Upper Iowa's seven takeaways in the opening period. The duo helped the blue and white force 10 turnovers while committing just five. UIU went 1-10 (10%) from downtown in the first frame coming off a weekend where they couldn't miss 32-66 (48.5%). The Peacocks controlled the battle of the boards 21-19 over the Golden Bears. Williams came down with six of those rebounds, over halfway to his career-best of 10 at the break.
The Peacocks began the final frame on a 21-8 advantage extending the UIU lead to double figures with 12:41 to play. A pair of three-pointers from Williams highlighted the stretch that put UIU up 60-43. Concordia immediately followed up with a 16-5 stretch of their own to cut their deficit down to six. Marcus Skeete led the charge for the Golden Bears with 10 points amid the run making the score 65-59 with 7:33 to go.Â
A pair of baskets pushed Upper Iowa's lead back up to double-digits but Concordia was not going down without a fight as a 8-2 CSP run made it a two-score game, 74-70 with 3:45 left to play. The Peacocks and Golden Bears exchanged makes from the free throw line and layups for the remainder of the game resulting in a 84-76 Upper Iowa win.
STATS OF THE GAME…Â
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The Peacocks displayed poise from the charity stripe connecting on 17-20 (85%) of their attempts.
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Upper Iowa made their presence felt on the offensive glass out hauling their opponents 17-10.
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UIU doubled CSP's totals in turnovers forced (20-10) while they tripled the Golden Bears' points off of turnovers (21-7).
PEACOCKS OF THE GAME…Â
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Dylan Jones led UIU with 16 points to go along with four rebounds and a career-high three blocks.
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Jake Hilmer did it all tallying 15 points, five rebounds, three steals, and a pair of assists.
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Duax met the Golden Bears all over totaling 14 points, five rebounds, six steals, two assists, and a pair of blocks.
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Williams scored 14 points along with grabbing eight rebounds and snatching three steals.
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Max Duax added six points and six rebounds providing a boost off of the bench.
UP NEXT… UIU will face CSP again on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.
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