The No. 19/21 Peacock men's basketball team posted their 20th win of the season on Friday night in Wayne, Neb. Upper Iowa earned a 79-63 win at Wayne State College behind another balanced scoring attack and pressure defense. UIU held their hosts to 39.3% shooting from the field and 0-11 from three while knocking down 50% of their own chances and drilling 11 from distance. The win pushed the Peacocks' record to 20-3 overall and 14-3 in the NSIC.
 
Joe Smoldt led all scorers with 25 on 8-15 shooting from the floor including a 5-9 clip behind the arc with four free throws in as many chances. Jake Hilmer scored 13, while Lucas Duax added 11 points and four rebounds. Nick Reid and Max Duax both scored eight points and combined for 12 rebounds; Reid pulled down eight boards. Hilmer is now just nine points from becoming the 30th player in Peacock men's basketball history to join the 1,000-point club.
 
Wayne State had four score in double figures with Ben Dentlinger leading the way with 17 points on 7-12 shooting. Dentliner also had 10 rebounds for a double-double. Justin Eagins scored 14 points, but the Peacock defense made it tough on WSC's leading scorer as it took 16 shots to get his points.
 
After a quick 7-2 start for the Peacocks, Lucas Duax took over the scoring duties for a six-minute span. Duax scored all of his 11 points when Upper Iowa increased their lead from 7-4 to 18-12. Five layups and free throw fueled the scoring outburst for UIU's top defender.
 
With 6:09 to play in the first half, the Peacocks were clinging to a slim 20-18 lead. UIU turned to Smoldt to ignite the offense and he did just that. Smoldt's first points of the night came with just over four minutes to play prior to halftime. His three in the middle of the run pushed the Peacock lead to 11, 31-20, but he was just getting started.
 
During their 17-6 run, the Peacocks hit 6-7 from the field including all five of their three-pointers. Smoldt knocked down three, while Reid and Max Duax each nailed a long-range attempt. When the dust settled, UIU was ahead 37-24. The Peacocks finished the half ahead 41-30 as Lucas Duax and Smoldt each took turns scoring 11 points in rapid succession.
 
In the second half, neither team gained much momentum in their offense. UIU kept their lead between eight and 16 points and knocked down free throw after free throw to close out the contest. Upper Iowa converted eight of their final 10 free throws in the game.
 
The Peacocks will get back on the court on Saturday, Feb. 5 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Upper Iowa will line up against the No. 11 Vikings of Augustana University in the Elmen Center on Augie's campus. The battle of nationally-ranked squads will have the attention of many around the country. First place in the NSIC South Division is on the line when the two teams get started at 5:30 p.m.