Upper Iowa lost their NSIC Tournament quarterfinal match up with the Bulldogs of the University of Minnesota Duluth on Sunday in Sioux Falls, S.D. at the Sanford Pentagon. The Peacocks had a one-point lead two-thirds of the way through the second half, but struggled to make shots from the floor and free throw line down the stretch as UMD claimed the 71-62 win. UIU finished their season with a 16-13 overall mark after the loss.
 
The teams battled back and forth over the opening 10 minutes as UMD took a 22-18 lead into the huddle for the second media timeout of the first half. Upper Iowa used a 7-0 run out of the timeout to pull ahead 25-22 fueled by a pair of three-pointers from Caleb Delzell and Nick Reid. The Bulldogs answered with a 6-0 run to retake the lead, but UIU had one more outburst behind a steal and five points by Austin Hilmer.
 
The Peacocks carried a 34-32 lead into the locker room at halftime thanks to 20 points from Dylan Jones (7), Austin Hilmer (7) and Delzell (6), while Reid collected seven points and six rebounds and Jake Hilmer had two points, six assists and five boards.
 
Charlie Katona paced the Bulldogs with 13 points and five rebounds in the opening frame.
 
Both offenses struggled to find their rhythm in the second half and after the first seven minutes and a technical foul on Minnesota Duluth, the Peacocks held a slight 41-40 lead after four straight free throw makes. The offenses continued to struggle converting just 26 total points over the next eight minutes with UMD holding a small three-point advantage, 55-52, after a dunk by Reid with 5:01 to play. The Bulldogs outscored the Peacocks 17-9 over the final five minutes of the game and secured the 72-61 win.
 
Upper Iowa went 0-7 from three in the second half and converted just 9 of their 16 second half free throws. The Peacocks made just 12 of their 23 shots at the charity stripe.
 
Reid led Upper Iowa with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Dylan Jones added 10 points in the paint. Jake Hilmer, who struggled with his shooting (3-20) tallied nine points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Austin Hilmer finished with nine points and added three steals.
 
Katona led the Wolves with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Drew Blair added 18 points and Joshua Brown had eight points, 10 steals and five blocks.