Upper Iowa men's basketball defeated St. Cloud State University 115-84 in the last game on the 2023 calendar. Their high-scoring outing was fueled by the trio of Jake Hilmer (36 points), Nick Reid (22 points) and Noah King (19 points). The win advanced the Peacocks to 6-4 on the season while the Huskies dropped to 5-6 overall. 
 
UIU led 56-38 at the half, executing several scoring bursts to keep pushing out their advantage. The first slide that set the pace came four minutes after the tip-off, as the Peacocks strung together eight consecutive points on a layup from Hilmer and back-to-back three's from Reid to put them up 15-7. 
 
The Huskies trailed by three (23-20) with just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half, but the Peacocks would not allow them to get any closer than three points as they continued adding onto their lead to stay ahead by 18 at the break. 
 
Upper Iowa outscored St. Cloud 59-46 in the second stint to claim the 115-84 victory. 
 
The home team shot 55.6% from the floor and 51.6% from beyond the arc while the visitors converted 41.6% from the field and 32.1% from long distance. 
 
UIU's top three leading scorers shot a combined 66% from long distance as Hilmer netted 6-7, Reid went 4-8 and King knocked down 2-3. 
 
Kyle Hrncir chipped in eight points on 4-8 shooting and nine rebounds, while Reid hauled in seven off the glass. Ethan Steinbronn made his way back onto the court this evening and tallied eight points on 4-5 shooting after being out for several games due to injury. 
 
Hilmer added to his already packed stat line with seven assists and committed zero turnovers.
 
Collectively, Upper Iowa dished out 17 assists and turned the ball over only five times, while also collecting 10 steals. The Huskies recorded 15 assists, 14 turnovers and three steals. 
 
The Peacocks return to the hardwood on Jan. 3 as they travel to Lebanon, Ill. to take on McKendree at 7:30 p.m.