FAYETTE, IOWA – The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (4-6, 1-2 NSIC), which received 22 points from sophomore forward Drew Guebert, dropped a tight 78-76 decision to Upper Iowa (5-3, 2-0 NSIC) on the road in NSIC play on Saturday. For USF, it was another frustrating close setback as the Cougars have lost five games by four points or fewer and four by a two-point differential in 2016-17.

Sioux Falls, which trailed 41-38 at halftime, struggled shooting in the second half, hitting 10-of-35 from the field for 28.6 percent. However, USF, which drew within 74-73 with 34 seconds to play, had opportunities to tie or take the lead in the final three minutes but couldn't get the shots to drop.

On the night, Guebert hit 6-of-12 shots from the field, including 4-of-6 from three point range and 6-of-6 from the foul line as he reached 20 points for the third time this year and sixth time in his career. Mack Johnson, who had 15 points, hit three, three-point field goals to push his school record total to 202.  In addition, Johnson moved into 10th place on USF's career chart with 1,334 (Joel Running, 1985-88, 1,323). For Johnson, he reached double digits in points for the 64th time in his career and seventh time in 10 games in 2016-17.

Also for USF, Clint Thomas and Daniel Hurtt also reached double digits for USF with 10 points. Meanwhile point guard Zach Wessels had seven points, six rebounds and five assists before fouling out.

On the night, USF made 23-of-66 shots for 34.8 percent. For the fifth time this year and for the third straight game, USF made 10 or more three-point shots. The Cougars were 11-of-26 three point shots for 42.3 percent. Plus, they were solid at the free throw line, hitting 19-of-23 for 82.6 percent. Meanwhile Upper Iowa, which was 24-of-58 from the field for 41.4 percent (6-of-20, 30 percent from three point range) but made just 24-of-44 from the foul line for 54.5 percent.  While USF was outscored by five points at the foul line, they lost the rebound battle, 42-40. It is just the second time in 10 games that USF has been outrebounded.

Leading the way for UIU was reserve forward Josh Weeber, who had 21 points, including 4-of-8 from three point range. Luke Lenhart and Jordan Hay both added 13 for the Peacocks.

Early in the game, things were going USF's way. Guebert knocked home a trey on USF's first shot of the night for a 3-0 lead just 19:32 into the game. With 18:32 to play, Wessels converted a lay-up through the teeth of the UIU defense which was followed by a second Guebert three-pointer and one by Hurtt for a 12-4 lead at the 17:17 mark.

After USF took a 14-7 lead, UIU had an 8-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 15-14 (13:43) when Weeber knocked down a three-point shot.  Two minutes later (11:38), Thomas hit a three-pointer as the Cougars retook the lead at 19-17.

Wessels was able to find an opening with 8:32 to play with his drive and score providing USF a 23-22 lead. With 5:41 to play, M. Johnson found the range and hit his 200th career three for a 30-28 lead. He hit another trey a minute later for a 33-31 lead (4:07).  However, the Peacocks battled back to take a 37-36 lead with 2:08 to play on another three from Weeber. With that surge, UIU took a 41-38 lead into halftime.

At the break, M. Johnson led USF with eight points while Wessels and Guebert added five each. USF was 13-of-31 from the field for 41.9 percent, but hit 6-of-12 from three-point range for 50 percent. Meanwhile the Peacocks connected on 14-of-33 field goals for 42.4 percent and 6-of-14 from three-point range for 46.2 percent. While USF was 6-of-7 from the foul stripe, UIU, who had a 21-17 rebound edge, hit just 7-of-15 free throws.

In second half, USF couldn't find offense as Upper Iowa used a 7-1 run to create a 48-39 advantage with 16:39 to play. USF's cold shooting continued as they had just four points in the opening seven minutes and the Peacocks pushed the lead to 53-42 with 13:01 to play after Jordan Hay converted a pair of free throws.
 
After a timeout by USF, Guebert hit a three and Tom Aase converted a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to 55-47 with 10:45 to play.  Later, Thomas hit a free throw and Johnson and Guebert knocked in three-point shots to keep USF within striking distance at 58-53. Hurtt converted a pair of free throws as the Cougars cut the UIU lead to 63-61 (5:55) after a 14-8 run.

With 3:48 to play, Thomas hit a three pointer as USF moved within 68-66. After Guebert's free throws cut UIU's lead to 70-68, the Cougars had two possessions to tie or take the lead but the shots wouldn't drop.

UIU pushed the lead to 74-68 with 1:23 to play on two foul shots by Lenhart. Guebert made a jumper (1:15) and was fouled on a three-point attempt and converted the charity tosses to draw USF within, 74-73 with 34 seconds to play. However, UIU's Carson Parker hit four straight free throws to push the advantage to 78-73. A three from M. Johnson with one second left cut the deficit to two but USF was unable to get another possession and fell to UIU for the second straight time.

Next weekend, the Cougars return to the Stewart Center to host St. Cloud State at 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 and Minnesota Duluth at 8 p.m. on Dec. 10.