The Peacocks escaped Dorman Gymnasium with an overtime victory over McKendree in an 84-82 decision, earning a sweep for the weekend. UIU improved to 19-8 on the season and 13-6 in the GLVC.
McKendree held the lead for over 34 minutes of the contest, while Upper Iowa was in control for just north of seven minutes. The Bearcats saw their largest advantage of 11 (21-10) with 12:50 left to play in the first half.
Nick Reid netted back-to-back three-pointers shy of the four-minute mark in the first half to bring the home team within four (35-31), and UIU ended the first session on an 8-0 run right before the intermission. The Peacocks earned a three-point boost right before the buzzer went off on a Caleb Dellzell long-range shot on the wing to trail 42-41.
The Bearcats ended the first 20 minutes 6-8 beyond the arc and shot 61.5% from the field, compared to the Peacocks' 6-13 from long range and 46.2% shooting from the floor.
Upper Iowa saw its first lead of the game a few minutes into the second session as Reid knocked down consecutive pull-up jumpers, putting the team ahead 48-46.
MCK followed up with a 10-2 run to lead 56-50 with 14:30 left to play in regulation. The two teams exchanged buckets back and forth, and the Peacocks trailed 72-69 with 4:22 left to play.
Neither team scored until the 1:50 mark, but the Peacocks broke the silence with a driving layup at the rim, followed by two Reid free throws 30 seconds later to lead by one, 73-72.
The Peacocks led 75-74 with 26 seconds remaining and forced the Bearcats into a turnover. A foul sent Upper Iowa to the free-throw line for a bonus opportunity, but the first free throw was missed, as was the second after a lane violation.
McKendree missed their first shot on the next possession, and the offensive rebound led to a foul, giving them two free throws. They made the first but missed the second, sending the game into overtime (75-75).
Upper Iowa jumped out to a five-point lead in the extra time behind a
Jack Miller three-pointer and a layup from
Noah King. The Bearcats battled back, but the Peacocks maintained a lead throughout the overtime.
Kyle Hrncir netted one at the charity stripe to put the Peacocks ahead 83-80 with 46 seconds left, but the Bearcats hit a jumper with 19 seconds left to trail by one (83-82).
Miller was fouled and went to the line for double bonus, making one free throw to maintain a two-point lead. McKendree advanced down the court but couldn't get a good shot off, allowing the home team to secure the victory.
Reid put up a game-high 35 points behind a 10-20 shooting effort, including 4-10 from distance. He nabbed nine rebounds, followed by
Kyle Hrncir, who hauled in seven and chipped in 11 points.
Other double-digit scorers were
Jack Miller (11) and
Noah King (12), who also dished out five assists.
UIU shot 43% (28-64) for the game and 30% (9-30) from beyond the arc. MCK netted 55% (31-56) for the game and 57% (8-14) from long range.
The Peacocks generated more shot opportunities by grabbing 13 offensive rebounds and forcing the Bearcats into 14 turnovers. They capitalized on these chances, scoring 16 second-chance points and 17 points off turnovers.
Peacock men's basketball has one more contest before concluding the regular season. They will host Lewis at home on Saturday, Mar. 1, while the GLVC Championship Tournament is set to take place on Mar. 6-9 in St. Charles, Mo.
