For the second straight game, the Peacocks put together an impressive first half, but came up short in the second half of their non-conference game in Missouri. On Friday, Upper Iowa took a 46-40 lead into the locker room at halftime, but the Saints of Maryville University rallied in the second half and hit a floater at the buzzer to defeat UIU 83-81.
 
Lucas Duax recorded a career-high 29 points to lead Upper Iowa. The Peacock guard converted 10 of his 19 field goal attempts and nine of 10 at the free throw line and pulled down six rebounds. Nick Reid posted 17 points and four rebounds, while Jake Hilmer scored 16 points, five assists and three rebounds.
 
After shooting 56.7% in the first half including 54.5% from deep, Upper Iowa hit only 33.3% of their second half attempts and one of their 10 long-range shots. UIU did take advantage of their time at the charity stripe in the second half hitting 14 of 16 free throws.
 
While the Peacock offense struggled in the second twenty minutes, the Saints shot 58.1% from the floor and knocked down five of their seven three-point attempts. For the game, Maryville nailed 10 of their 15 from beyond the arc.
 
With just over three minutes to play in the game, the Peacocks trailed by six, 79-73. Six free throws from the Peacocks including a pair after a technical foul pulled the visitors even with their hosts, 79-79, with 1:59 showing on the clock.
 
Both teams knocked down lay ups to keep the score tied at 81-81. After the Saints took their two-point lead, Duax was able to drive down the lane and tie the score again. Each team had two chances with the ball in their hands to take the lead, but the final dagger came as the horn sounded for the Saints. Hilmer drove the lane and lost control of the ball going up for the possible game winner and Dewayne Vass grabbed the ball and raced down the court. Vass tossed a high floater over Duax to just before the horn to give the home team an 83-81 win.
 
Upper Iowa will return to the court next Tuesday, Nov. 22 when they travel to Winona State University to match up with the Warriors in their Northern Sun Conference opener at 5:30 p.m.