After a slow start that saw the Peacocks only score two points in the first five minutes, Upper Iowa controlled the final 35 minutes erasing an early nine-point hole to secure a 69-54 win over the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. Upper Iowa knocked down nine three-pointers while improving to 11-8 overall and 8-5 in the NSIC, while UMary falls to 8-9 overall and 4-9 in the conference.
 
As a team, Upper Iowa shot over 50% from the floor after their 1-for-9 start in the opening five minutes. While the Peacock offense was clicking, the defense held the Marauders to a shooting percentage of 33.8% in the game and 21.1% from deep.
 
Carter Janssen (17) and Caleb Delzell (13) combined for 30 points off the bench for the Peacocks and gave the Peacocks the spark they needed in the first half with eight and six points, respectively. Janssen made five three-pointers in the game and added five rebounds, while Delzell shot 6-10 from the floor adding two assists.
 
Jake Hilmer scored 15 points and added eight rebounds and five assists, while Lucas Duax scored 13 points and pulled in seven rebounds. Nick Reid tallied eight points and seven rebounds.
 
UMary saw nine players hit the scoring column, but only Kam Warrens reached double figures with 13 points.
 
After falling behind 11-2 after five minutes, the Peacocks came out of a timeout and quickly turned the momentum in their favor. In just over six minutes, the Peacocks took a 22-18 lead after back-to-back three-pointers from Janssen. The run continued as Upper Iowa pushed their advantage to a high-mark of 13 points, 39-26, and settled for a 39-28 lead at the break. After the early shooting woes, UIU outscored their hosts 37-17 over the final 15 minutes of the opening half.
 
The Marauders cut the gap to seven points, 39-32, coming out of halftime, but seven points from Delzell fueled a 10-2 run that pushed the UIU lead to 49-34. Another deep make from Janssen midway through the second half increased Upper Iowa's largest margin to 17 points, 57-40. The home team pulled within 10 points with four minutes to go, but Jake Hilmer scored five straight to put the game away.
 
With the win and other results in the NSIC on Friday, the Peacocks move into a four-way tie for first place in the NSIC South. Upper Iowa will look to push their win streak to three straight with a game on Saturday at Minot State University. Tip off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Minot, N.D.