Upper Iowa men's basketball concluded the weekend with a tough-fought 108-105 success over the Saints. The Peacocks improved to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in the conference, while the Saints dropped to 5-9 (1-5 GLVC)
 
The game was decided in the final moments as Upper Iowa trailed 105-104 with 18 seconds remaining. The Peacocks had an empty trip at the free throw line, but Caleb Delzell had a tip-in at the rim off the second missed free throw to put UIU ahead by one (106-105). 
 
Maryville was poised to have the final possession and take the last shot of the game when Delzell made a crucial defensive play, poking the ball away. His teammate, Ryan Heise, was then fouled and sent to the free-throw line with just over two seconds left. Heise converted both free throws, extending Upper Iowa's lead to three (108-105) and securing the victory.
 
The high-scoring affair included several pivotal runs from both sides in the second half. The Peacocks strung together 18 unanswered points, starting at the 13-minute mark, and held a ten-point advantage (85-75) by the end of the run. 
 
Maryville chipped away at the lead and put together their most extensive run of the game (12-2) to command a 101-98 lead over Upper Iowa with 4:20 left to play. The Saints capitalized on six turnovers by the Peacocks during that span to fuel their scoring surge.
 
Back-to-back baskets from Kyle Hrncir gave the Peacocks a one-point lead, followed by two crucial free throws from Nick Reid with under a minute remaining, putting Upper Iowa ahead 104-103. The Saints scored their final basket of the game to briefly reclaim the lead at 105-104. However, the Peacocks closed the contest with four unanswered points to secure the victory.
 
Delzell and Hrncir each finished the game with a double-double, as Delzell put up 21 points and hauled in 11 rebounds, and Hrncir recorded 17 points and nabbed 10 boards. Reid led all scorers with 24 points, going 3-6 from long range and 9-10 from the charity stripe. 
 
Gavin Hershberger pitched in 21 points and dished out six assists. Hershberger had two momentous threes during the Peacocks' largest run of the contest, sparking the momentum that aided the team's victory. 
 
Peacock hoops are on the road next weekend as they travel to face Lewis on Thursday, Jan. 9 and Indy on Saturday, Jan. 11.