Jefferson City, Mo. - Upper Iowa's (14-8, 9-6 GLVC) first-half struggles hurt Peacocks in a 72-65 loss to Lincoln (Mo.) (10-13, 4-13 GLVC) on Saturday. Kyle Hrncir had 23 points and 13 rebounds in the game.
UIU was cold in the first half, shooting 6-of-28 (28.6%) from the field and 0-of-7 from three. On a positive note, the Peacocks were 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. LU was 14-for-31 (45.2%) from the floor and 3-for-14 (12.4%) from beyond the arc.
After UIU led 6-4 early, Lincoln used an 11-0 run over the next three minutes to take a 15-6 lead. The Blue Tigers shot 4-of-6 (66.7%) from the field and forced three turnovers during the run.
With five minutes left in the half, Jack Miller hit a jumpshot to bring the Peacocks within seven. The sophomore then followed this shot with a steal and a layup on the next possession. A minute later, Tate Petersen knocked down two free throws, decreasing the deficit to 23-20
Tyler Chapman answered on the other side of the court with a 3-pointer to widen the Blue Tigers' lead back to six. Lincoln held onto the lead for the rest of the half and eventually pushed it to 35-24 off a Chapman floater.
Five minutes into the second half, the Blue Tigers extended their lead to 51-32 after shooting 7-for-10 (70%) from the field. The Peacocks were 1-for-10 (10%) from the field during this stretch.
Eric Kenesie hit a jumper a minute later to spark an Upper Iowa 6-0 run that decreased the deficit to 12. Malcolm Davis drilled a 3-pointer to halt the Peacocks' momentum and widen Lincoln's lead to 54-41 with 11:48 left.
Four minutes later, UIU got a 9-0 run going to bring the team even closer, 63-57, with 4:22 to go. UIU was 4-of-6 (66.7%) from the field, capping off the run with a Petersen step-back 3-pointer. LU increased its lead back to eight, thirty seconds later, after an Amar Kadic jumpshot.
Hrncir hit a 3-pointer, and Cael Reichter added a free throw to pull the Peacocks within five with one minute remaining. With 30 seconds left, Lincoln ran the clock down before a missed jumper was rebounded by D'Necco Rucker, who converted a layup to push the lead back to seven. The Blue Tigers held on for a 72-65 victory, despite UIU being within striking distance multiple times late in the game.
Hrncir finished the game a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe, his first perfect free-throw shooting game this season with five or more attempts. The redshirt junior also added three assists and a steal. Miller had 13 points, shooting 6-of-10 (60%) from the floor, four steals and three rebounds.
Petersen recorded 13 points, a career-high seven rebounds and an assist. Anton Fontin posted seven points and two rebounds. Reichter had three points along with a team-high two blocks.
Chapman led Lincoln in scoring with 22 points. Davis scored the second most with 19. Max Ekono recorded a team-high seven rebounds and a game-high five assists.
UIU shot a season-low 17-for-55 (30.9%) from the field, 4-for-21 (19%) from three, but shot a season-second best 27-for-32 (84.4%) from the free-throw line. LU was 28-of-66 (42.4%) from the floor, 6-of-29 (20.7%) on 3-pointers and 10-of-12 (83.3%) from the charity stripe.
The Peacocks outrebounded the Blue Tigers, 41-38. Lincoln outscored Upper Iowa in the paint, 34-18, and on the fastbreak, 17-11. Each team scored 11 bench points.
UIU returns home for its final homestand next week. Upper Iowa faces Missouri-St. Louis 14-10, 8-7 GLVC) on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Maryville (Mo.) (2-21, 0-15 GLVC) for Senior Day on Saturday at 3 p.m.
