Jan. 26, 2008

Box Score

The Upper Iowa women's basketball team hosted the University of Mary tonight in the first game of the Peacocks' second run through the Northern Sun Conference. The Peacocks lost to the Marauders 76-67 in Bismarck in the team's first game of the conference season. The visitors came into Dorman Gym with a 7-2 conference record and sitting in second place in the standings, while the home team carried an a winless conference mark into the game. The Peacocks used strong shooting from beyond the arc (56%) and good inside play to jump out to a seven-point, 35-28, halftime lead. UIU led throughout much of the second half, but with just over five minutes to play U-Mary tied the game at 52-52. The game remained heated and the score was tied with 1:05 to play. Britney Iredale's jumper gave UIU a two-point lead with just under a minute to go. A pair of free throws each from Sara Best and Ashley Martin extended the lead as the Peacocks won their first conference game of the season 64-58.

UIU came out firing from beyond the arc hitting two trifectas early in the game. The action slowed down quickly as the teams exchanged points over the opening minutes. The Peacocks enjoyed a stunning 10-0 run started by Chelsea Peterson's two free throws that gave the home team a 20-11 lead. U-Mary would then see their first offensive run scoring seven consecutive points and bringing the score within two, 20-18. The two teams continued to play strong as the score climbed to a 25-25 tie with 4:05 left in the half. Martin would hit two big three's for the Peacocks that got the crowd on their feet for a 28-28 tie with three minutes left. The Peacocks closed out the half out with a strong 7-0 run quieting the bench of U-Mary as they did not score over final three minutes of the half.

The second half started with competitive play from both teams. Eager to get their first conference win the Peacock women matched the U-Mary women point for point. The teams both scored 10 points over the first eight minutes, keeping the Peacocks ahead by seven, 45-38. The U-Mary women gained momentum as they doubled the Peacocks in points over the next six minutes, 14-7, giving them their first share of the lead in the second half, 52-52. Upper Iowa attacked the basket earning six foul shots and making four of them for a 56-52 lead. During this run the Peacocks held U-Mary scoreless for three minutes. U-Mary would fire back with a 4-0 run themselves tying the game with only 2:16 left, 56-56. UIU regained the lead shortly after and wouldn't look back ending the game on a 6-0 run to keep the lead and win their first conference game of the season 64-58.

UIU was led by a balanced attack from the floor as Iredale led the Peacocks with 14 points and dishing out 6 assists. Martin added 13 points, nine of those coming from beyond the arc and would finish perfect on the night from the free throw line. Seniors Chelsea Petersen added 13 points and Christa Hammel netted 9 while pulling down 10 rebounds.

The Peacocks will be back in action tomorrow night as they host the Wolves of Northern State. Tip off is slated for 6 p.m. in Dorman Gym.