SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --- Neither team boasted a double-digit lead Monday evening at the Sanford Pentagon, but it was the Upper Iowa Peacocks that were able to come away with the victory as they defeated Minnesota State 63-55 in the third round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament.

With the loss, Minnesota State ends its season with a 21-10 record. With the win, Upper Iowa improves to 22-9 and will take on the winner of the game between Southwest Minnesota State and Augustana in the NSIC Tournament championship.

The first half proved to be a close contest as neither team led by more than five points in the opening stanza. The lead also changed hands a total of seven times during the first half. With 4:33 remaining in the first half, senior Jon Fuqua put the Mavericks up by four at 25-21, but the Peacocks were able to finish the half on an 11-4 as they carried a 32-29 lead into the locker room. 

Fuqua led all scorers in the first half with 13 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore Jay Knuth added nine points and four rebounds. The Mavericks also held a 21-15 advantage on the glass as they recorded 12 second chance points off of eight offensive boards. 

Jordan Hay led the Peacocks in the first half with 10 points and five rebounds. As a team, Upper Iowa shot 52% from the field in the first 20 minutes.

The opening five minutes of the first half saw the Mavericks put together an 11-0 run, which included four points from sophomore Joey Witthus, to put MSU up 40-34 with 15:27 to go in the game. At the midway point of the second half, the Maverick still led by a pair of scores as they held a 47-42 advantage with 9:24 to go.

Upper Iowa managed to knot up the score at 51-51 with 4:28 remaining before it took the lead for good after a layup from Jimmy Roth put the Peacocks up 53-51 with 3:32 remaining. UIU would finish the final 3:32 on a 10-4 run to lock down the 63-55 win.

Fuqua finished the game with his ninth career double-double as he tallied 20 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Knuth added a season-high 12 points, to go with six rebounds. Sophomore Cole Harper tallied nine rebounds and three assists as well.

As a team, MSU shot 31.7% from the field, to go along with a 12-of-16 (.750) showing from the free throw line. The Mavericks also hauled in 41 rebounds, including a season-high 16 offensive rebounds. In total, the Mavericks recorded 14 second chance points.

Jordan Hay recorded a double-double for the Peacocks as he tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds. Luke Leonhart added 15 points on a 5-of-7 showing from behind the three point line.

As a team, Upper Iowa shot 44% from the field. The Peacocks also tallied 30 points in the paint and passed out nine assists.

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