MOORHEAD, Minn. – Alex Novak's blocked shot on Joey Woods as time expired in overtime gave the 16th-ranked Dragons a 70-68 win over the Upper Iowa University Peacocks on Friday night. The Dragons' win moves them to 13-1 overall, 9-1 in the NSIC, while the Peacocks fall to 4-10 overall, 1-9 in the NSIC.

The Dragons' first 6 points came off Novak dunks, the third coming off a D. J. Hamilton pass that split two defenders at the free-throw line. The Dragons amassed a 22-10 lead with just over 8 minutes remaining in the first half, when the Peacocks went on a 16-1 run right before the half.

The Peacocks dominated the boards, with 18 total rebounds compared to 9 for the Dragons. MSUM only had 1 offensive rebound in the first half.

UIU took a nine-point lead at the start of the second half, playing strong defense and slowing down their offensive possessions. Peacocks center Tucker Wentzien had 16 second-half points on his way to a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds.

"We're really lucky to be in that game," Novak commented. "We came out well in the beginning, but then went stale for a little bit. We battled back in the second half."

Their comeback was sparked by Andrew VanHavermaet second basket of game, a three-pointer with just over four minutes remaining to cut the UIU lead 54-46. A Peacock turnover led to a Charlie Chapman three-pointer and two made free throws from Jake Lindfors cut the UIU lead 54-50. At just under two minutes, Dragon guard DJ Hamilton stole the ball near half court, and completed a no-look pass to Novak alone underneath the basket for another two-handed dunk. Another VanHavermaet found himself open for three, which tied tied the game at 56.

With 35 seconds left in regulation, Novak was fouled on a made dunk, tying the score 58-58, but was unable to convert his free throw, and the game went to overtime. "We took them into overtime, and we shouldn't have been there," said Novak. "We should've hit some free throws."

In overtime, VanHavermaet hit back-to-back threes to give the Dragons a 64-62 lead. MSUM and UIU traded leads seven times during overtime, until Hamilton was fouled and made both his free throws giving the Dragons a 70-68 lead with 9 seconds remaining. UIU guard Joey Woods made a move and found a opening for a layup, but Novak flew in a blocked Woods' shot against the glass as time expired, securing the Dragons win.

"We just had to grind away at them," Novak said about the Dragon comeback. "We couldn't make a ten-point play, there's no such thing in basketball. Two points here, two points there, get some stops, and we got back in it."

MSUM finished the game 25-for-50, 50%, from the field, 10-for-19, 52.6%, from three, and 10-for-15, 66.7%, from the free throw line. The Dragons had four players score in double digits: Charlie Chapman (18), Novak (16), VanHavermaet (14), and Lindfors (11).

UIU shot 27-for-63, 42.9%, from the field, 6-for-19, 31.6%, from three, and 8-for-12, 66.7%, from the free throw line. The Peacocks were led in scoring by Wentzien (23), and Sam Elgin (13).

The #16-ranked Dragons will host the #13-ranked Warriors from Winona State (9-1 NSIC, 14-2 overall) tomorrow night at 6:00 pm.

Steve d'Eustachio's Stat of the Game: Tonight marked the Dragons' first home overtime win since the 70-67 victory versus Northern State on January 3, 2004.