FAYETTE, IOWA – The Maryville men's basketball team reached a season high in scoring but Upper Iowa steadied itself and held on for a 106-90 win. Henry Sanchez tallied a season-high 25 points to headline four players in double figures, while Noah Courtney also had season highs with a double-double on 22 points and 10 rebounds. Kobe Clark dished out a season-best 11 assists and flirted with a triple-double with eight rebounds and seven points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Upper Iowa built a double-digit lead in the first half before Henry Sanchez scored six straight points for the Saints. He converted a layup, was fouled and tacked on the free throw. On the next possession, Sanchez knocked down a 3-pointer as the Saints drew to within 27-18. Noah Courtney found the range for a jumper that made it 32-23. However, UIU closed the first half on a 10-2 run and went into the break up 57-34.
 
The Saints made a charge by scoring the first seven points of the second half. Evan Palmquist scored on a layup, and Greg Ballard connected from deep. Another bucket by Palmquist trimmed the deficit to 57-41. Maryville got back into the game with a 12-1 surge. Ballard made another 3-pointer before Palmquist sank a jumper and added two free throws. Sanchez splashed a 3-pointer, and a Courtney layup drew the Saints to within 63-55 with 15 minutes to play.
 
The Peacocks got hot from 3-point range and recovered with an 11-2 run. The Saints answered as Raynard Horry scored and later added a free throw. Palmquist followed with a 3-pointer, and a Ballard layup chopped the deficit to 79-70 with just under 10 minutes remaining. Two free throws by Sanchez made the gap 88-78 at the 7:35 mark but the Saints never got the lead back down to single digits as Upper Iowa held on..
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Henry Sanchez - 25
Rebounds: Noah Courtney - 10
Assists: Kobe Clark - 11
3-Pointers: Henry Sanchez - 4
Steals: Kobe Clark and Henry Sanchez - 2
Blocked Shots: Kobe Clark - 2
 
RECORDS
Maryville: 3-22, 1-16
Upper Iowa: 16-8, 11-6
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints begin their final homestand of the season as they welcome Quincy into Moloney Arena Thursday, Feb. 19, in a 7:30 pm game.