Upper Iowa posted a 66-57 win over Southwest Minnesota State University at home on Saturday night. The Peacocks survived a defensive battle with the Mustangs as both teams challenged every shot attempt and limited offensive opportunities. UIU improved to 7-4 overall and 4-1 in the NSIC, while SMSU dropped to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference.
 
Lucas Duax led all scorers with 28 points, including 22 in the first half, after knocking down 11 field goals with four three-pointers. The scoring outburst was one point shy of his career-high set earlier this season at Maryville and moves the senior guard within one point of becoming the 31^st member of the Peacocks' 1,000-point club. As electric as Duax was on offense, the Dubuque native continued to shine on defense with seven steals in the game, six in the first half, and five rebounds.
 
Jake Hilmer scored 14 points with a pair of deep bullseyes and added six assists, while Nick Reid posted 13 points with two three-pointers and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
 
Dunwa Omot and Anthony Costello each scored 14 points for the Mustangs, while Jakob Braaten added 10 points. Mason Lund pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for SMSU.
 
While SMSU's defense made shooting difficult for the Peacocks, it was Upper Iowa's defense that made the difference forcing 19 turnovers and converting them into 16 points including a 15-7 advantage in fast break points.
 
The home team lit up the scoreboard in the first two minutes and got out to an 8-0 lead before the Mustangs began to battle back. An 8-0 Mustang run that spanned just 90 seconds pushed the visitors ahead 27-26 fueled by four consecutive buckets. Upper Iowa bounced back to life and outscored SMSU 10-5 over the final five minutes of the half to take a 36-32 lead into the locker room. Lucas Duax and Jake Hilmer each scored five points during the final five minutes.
 
In the second half, neither team could get momentum on their side through the first seven minutes. Caleb Delzell knocked down a three-pointer to give UIU a 47-40 lead with 13 minutes to play, but the Mustangs tied the game at 52-52 thanks to a 12-5 run that covered six and a half minutes of game time. Five players scored in the run for the visitors as they forced UIU to shoot 2-11 from the floor and 1-7 from three.
 
Reid took over on the offensive end over the final six minutes as Upper Iowa put the game away by outscoring Southwest Minnesota State 14-5 over the final half dozen minutes. Reid scored eight of UIU's points including a big three-pointer that broke the 52-all tie and added an old-fashioned three-point play, a few big rebounds, and two more free throws to ice the decision.
 
Upper Iowa will head out on the road next Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18. The Peacocks will face Augustana University on Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D. at 7:30 p.m. and then head south to Wayne State College on Sunday in Wayne, Nebraska at 5:30.