THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK MEN'S BASKETBALL…  The Peacocks had a quick turnaround as they are prepared to play Truman State on Saturday for the second time in one week. Tip off is set for 3 p.m. UIU comes into this weekend with a 4-4 overall record and 0-1 mark in conference play. The Bulldogs are 3-4 on the year and 1-0 in the GLVC.
 
LIVE COVERAGE OPTIONS… There will be a pair of live options for those who are unable to make it to Fayette on Saturday. Both live stats and a webcast can be found through the links attached with this story. Fans can also refer to UIUPeacocks.com/Live for all links on each gameday. The game will be aired on KCRG 9.2 at 7:30 p.m. 
 
DIGITAL GAMEDAY PROGRAM… Fans can access an interactive and digital program for UIU's home contests at any time at UIUPeacocks.com/Programs. The digital programs are available to fans both at our games and those at home watching the action. QR Codes will be located around the facility to scan with your cell phone's camera that will link you directly to that game's specific digital program.
 
HIT THE REWIND…  The Upper Iowa men's basketball team defeated North Central (MN) in their home opener on Tuesday by a final decision of 104-66. The Peacocks mustered up 60 points in the second half to help yield their success on the hardwood. UIU led 44-32 at the conclusion of the first half and opened the second segment with a 22-2 run that gave them a 66-38 advantage to help set up their scoring habits for the remainder of the contest. 
 
Noah King netted 22 points on 9-16 shooting to lead all scorers, followed by Jake Hilmer with 21 points, going 7-13 from the field and 3-5 from beyond the arc.
 
HIGH OFFENSIVE MARKS… The Peacocks are 27th in the nation in points per game with 87.5 while also ranking sixth in team free throw percentage at 80.92% (140-173). Noah King has only missed one free throw out of his 27 attempts this year, placing him third on the leaderboard in individual free throw percentage with 96.30%. Jake Hilmer follows close behind as he is shooting 92.1% (58-63) from the charity stripe.
 
UIU has three scorers in double figures, led by Hilmer with 25.6 points per game, placing him fourth in the country in scoring. King is good for 18.9 points per game, while Nick Reid contributes 12.5 each contest. The trio is shooting a combined 47.5% from the field and 88.4% from the free throw line. 
 
STACKING UP AGAINST THE GLVC… The Peacocks have several notable marks in comparison with other conference opponents. UIU continues to lead the way in scoring with 87.5 points per game, as Missouri S&T falls in second with 81.6 and Drury in third at 81.2 per contest. The Peacocks sit atop the list in free throw percentage (80.9%), but are trailed closely by Lewis who is shooting 80.3% from the charity stripe. Lastly, they are first in assist/turnover ratio as the team only averages 6.8 turnovers a game. Illinois Springfield, who ranks right below Upper Iowa, has turned the ball over 10.4 times each game. 
 
FLASHBACK TO GAME ONE WITH TSU… In game one in Kirksville, Mo. one week ago, the Bulldogs bested the Peacock 97-85. UIU trailed TSU 10-0 to start the contest after being unable to make it onto the scoreboard until five minutes ran off the clock. The Bulldogs rallied up to a 17-point advantage (28-11), but allowed Upper Iowa to string together a 10-3 run to close the gap to 31-21.TSU outscored UIU 12-6 in the last couple of minutes to command a 40-35 lead at the end of the first half. 
 
In the second half, Noah King caught fire as he scored one possession after another and concluded the game with 22 points on 10-15 shooting. Jake Hilmer found his groove as he went 2-2 from three-point land and ended the game 5-12 from the floor while going 7-7 from the foul line, recording 19 points. Upper Iowa outscored Truman State 55-52 in the second half, but were unable to overcome the home team's strong shooting. The Bulldogs netted 7-8 from long distance in the second half, totaling 14-23 (60.9%) for the game. 
 
ON THE HORIZON…  The Peacocks only see one more action in the month of December. Their final contest of 2023 is set for Tuesday, Dec. 19 as they host non-conference opponent St. Cloud State at 12 p.m. in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium.