Upper Iowa's men's basketball team put together a solid defensive performance to go along with electric shooting inside the three-point arc to score a 78-52 win over the University of Minnesota Crookston for a weekend sweep in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium. The Peacocks improve to 9-7 overall and 6-4 in the Northern Sun Conference, while the Golden Eagles fall to 1-15 overall and 0-10 in the NSIC.
 
UIU held their guests to 33.9% shooting from the floor including a 21.1% clip from deep. The Peacocks forced 18 turnovers, fueled by nine steals, which directly led to 20 points and grabbed a 45-33 advantage on the boards. While Upper Iowa struggled from the three-point line (5-27), the team converted 29 of their 44 shots (65.9%) inside the arc and five of their seven free throws.
 
Lucas Duax and Jake Hilmer combined for 45 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and six steals. Duax led the team with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Hilmer poured in 20 points and added four rebounds, four assists and four steals. The guard combination knocked down 19 of their 32 shots. Nick Reid registered his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Dylan Jones added 10 points and three rebounds.
 
The two wins over the weekend allowed Upper Iowa to climb into second place in the NSIC South Division with their 6-4 record. The University of Sioux Falls is in first place with a 7-3 record, while the Peacocks and four other teams are all tied for second place just one game behind the Cougars.
 
Upper Iowa is heading north for the next two weekends with games at the University of Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State University on Jan. 13-14 and at the University of Mary and Minot State University on Jan. 20-21. The road trip will bring the Peacocks to Duluth and St. Cloud, Minn. and then Bismarck and Minot, N.D.