Upper Iowa men's basketball resumed play after the holiday break and fell short against Missouri-St. Louis in a 75-73 decision. The Peacocks attempted a layup at the buzzer that would have tied the game, but it was ruled a "no basket" as time had expired.
 
Nick Reid finished the contest with his fifth double-double of the season, notching 33 points and hauling in 12 rebounds. Ryan Heise chipped in 13 points on 4 of 7 shooting, while Kyle Hrncir and Gavin Hershberger each added eight. 
 
UIU found themselves playing from behind in the early part of the contest, as UMSL led the entire first half and saw its biggest lead of nine points with 13:59 remaining in the opening period. The Peacocks had ten turnovers in the first session and trailed the visitors 36-29 at the intermission. 
 
Nick Reid sparked a personal 7-0 scoring run to open the second half, converting a free throw and hitting two long-range shots to tie the game at 36. Upper Iowa took its first lead several minutes later, and another Reid three-pointer gave them a 44-40 advantage, igniting a 9-0 run that culminated in their largest lead of the game, 47-42, with 13:59 remaining. 
 
In the next three minutes, Missouri-St. Louis went on an 11-3 run to take a 53-50 lead with 10 minutes remaining. The Peacocks briefly regained the lead at 63-62 after a Heise dunk, but they struggled to contain the Tritons' 10-2 burst, falling behind 72-65 with 2:18 left to play.
 
The two teams exchanged free throws for the remainder of the game. Reid and Heise combined to make six from the line, with Heise's final two coming after he stole the ball on a Missouri-St. Louis inbound and was fouled, sending him to the stripe.
 
Heise's two free throws pulled the Peacocks to within 72-71 with six seconds remaining. The teams then exchanged free throws and Missouri-St. Louis went one-for-two on their final trip to the line, holding a 75-73 lead. With just three seconds left, Upper Iowa pushed the ball coast-to-coast and managed to get a shot off at the rim, but it left their hands just after time expired.
 
The Peacocks are back on the hardwood in Fayette on Sunday at 3 p.m. against Maryville.