FAYETTE, Iowa -- Four players scored in double figures and the Mavericks' 68 percent second half shooting carried them to an 85-67 non-conference win over Upper Iowa Saturday afternoon.
Calvin Kapels' 20 points and eight rebounds led the way as UNO improved to 11-9 on the season.
Zac Robinson scored 17 points,
Chris DeSpain a season-high 15 and
Ryan Curtis added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds for UNO.
The Mavericks, who improved to 11-9, broke open a tight game with a 9-0 run midway through the first half, fueled by three-pointers by
Grant Nieland and Robinson to take a 31-22 lead.
UNO took a 36-25 lead into halftime, then came out hot as DeSpain scored on a dunk and converted a three-point play before
Jamaal Byers nailed a three-pointer for a 44-25 lead.
The Peacocks, who fell to 2-17, edged back with a 7-0 run midway through the second half to cut UNO's lead to 49-38 with 12:27 left, but
Michael Jenkins and DeSpain hit shots to stop the rally. DeSpain scored 11 of his points and hit all four of his field goal attempts in the second half.
UNO, which shot 48.3 percent the first half, connected on 15 of 22 shots after the break to give it a 56.9 percentage for the game.
Ernest Addae led Upper Iowa with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Mavericks resume North Central Conference action Thursday night at 8 at Sapp Fieldhouse against South Dakota.
UNO
Calvin Kapels 20,
Jamaal Byers 6,
Denny Johnston 1,
Chris DeSpain 15,
Ryan Curtis 14,
Zac Robinson 17,
Quantel Murphy 4,
Grant Nieland 4,
Michael Jenkins 4,
Ryan Pace 0,
Gabe Zwiener 0.
Upper Iowa
Ernest Addae 16, Turmel Woods 8, Marcus Uhlenhopp 8, Nick Larson 10, Adam Winters 5, John Schutte 10, Storm Schmitt 10.
