The University of Minnesota Duluth saw its Friday night winless streak extend to four weeks as Upper Iowa University edged out the Bulldogs 90-88 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play in Fayette, Iowa.

UMD (15-8, 11-6 NSIC) began the game on an 8-0 run, but a technical foul assessed to the Bulldogs gave Upper Iowa (13-13, 9-8 NSIC) an opportunity to scratch back into it, and the teams were quickly tied at 8-all. Freshman guard Trevor Entwisle lifted a three-pointer that punctuated a 7-0 run for the Bulldogs, and UMD kept the Peacocks at bay through much of the first half. With 6:55 remaining, the Bulldogs once again extended their lead to eight points, and Upper Iowa answered with a run of its own, taking a 31-30 lead on nine straight points with a dunk by Jernell Hughes the difference-maker. UMD would regain its lead and took a five-point edge to the locker room at 46-41.

The Peacocks started the second half on a 15-to-8 run, taking their second lead of the game at 55-54. UMD ran off another run, this time 9-2 in favor of the road team to open up a 63-57 lead with plenty of time, 11:16 left to go. That time cost them as Upper Iowa was quick to knot the game at 63-63 and late 65-65 with both teams in foul trouble as the clock ticked over past the midway point of the second half. Later in the half, a technical foul came down on a Peacocks player with 6:43 remaining and senior guard Pierre Newton hit a pair of free throws to extend UMD's lead to three points. Senior forward Brendon Pineda made it a two-score game with a jumper off the reset. Upper Iowa roared back, regaining the lead and going up 82-78 with three minutes remaining after a 9-0 run. Pineda finally broke the run, hitting a pair of free throws.

After a long three didn't fall for the Peacocks, Pineda touched a jumper off glass to tie the game with 1:43 remaining. A pair of offensive fouls against the Bulldogs in crunch time cost them and Upper Iowa regained its four-point lead as the clock went under a minute remaining. A lay-in and-one for senior guard Junior Coleman pulled UMD within one with just seconds remaining. After Upper Iowa freshman Elliot Kane hit one of two free throws, Coleman again got the ball and tied up the game for the Bulldogs. A costly foul called against UMD gave Upper Iowa another two-point lead and they held the Bulldogs without a chance in the closing seconds, with UMD's Friday night woes continuing for the fourth straight week.

Newton led the way with 26 points and a team-high seven rebounds for the Bulldogs, but fouled out late after 35 minutes. Pineda added 18, Coleman 16, and senior guard Taylor Lavery 15. Hughes matched Newton with 26 points for the Peacocks, who shot just 59.0 percent from the charity stripe allowing UMD chances to remain in the game late. Upper Iowa shot 54.5 percent for the game with the Bulldogs hitting 43.1 percent. UMD had a 41-25 advantage on rebounds including 14 on their offensive end producing second chances. The Bulldogs led for 31 minutes in the game.

UMD will look to bounce back, as it has each of the past two weeks, with a win on Saturday night as the team travels to Winona State University for another NSIC interdivisonal match-up, the final of the regular season for the Bulldogs. Opening tip is set for 6:00 p.m. following the women's contest in Winona, Minnesota.