Jan. 26, 2008
Box Score
The Peacock women's basketball team took the floor to face the Wolves of the Northern State on Saturday evening following their upset of the University of Mary the night before. Upper Iowa and Northern State played in Aberdeen at the beginning of the conference season with the Wolves taking the 61-53 decision. Upper Iowa was fueled by 12 points from Christa Hammel to lead 34-33 at halftime. Midway through the second half the Peacocks built an eleven point lead. The home team continued their great play and extended their lead to 19 points with 6:45 to play when Hammel scored her 1,000th career point on a turn around jumper. UIU maintained their advantage and won their second straight Northern Sun game, 80-59.
UIU jumped out to an early 6-2 lead. They enjoyed this advantage in part to their perfect free throw shooting in the opening minutes hitting four straight. The Upper Iowa offense took off on an 8-2 run and to double up on NSU in points, 16-8. A timeout midway through the half seemed to calm the Wolves down as they rallied with an 8-2 run of their own and closed on the Peacocks bringing them within two, 18-16. Dorman Gym heated up as the Peacocks stole the ball and drove full court only to be fouled. Sara Best stepped to the line to shoot two, but it turned to four when the Northern State bench received a technical. Best would make three of four giving the Peacocks a five point lead, 27-22. For the next six minutes both teams traded baskets scoring seven points apiece although the Peacocks were held scoreless for the final two minutes. The Peacocks hit the locker room with a one point advantage, 34-33. Upper Iowa was impressive from the free throw line in the first half missing only one shot (11-12).
NSU came out firing after the break and went on a 4-0 run to claim their first lead of the game. The Peacocks maintained their composure after losing the lead and dominated over the next six minutes outscoring the Wolves 19-5. The home team got baskets from many players as it seemed that all the jump shots were going in. Upper Iowa held a nine point lead, 53-42, after this great offensive outburst. The Peacocks kept the intensity up and never gave the Wolves a chance as they went on two more scoring runs. The first was a 7-0 run with 8:30 left in the game that gave the hosts a 68-49 lead. With 6:00 on the clock, Hammel hit her turn around jumper and scored her 1000th career point making the score 70-51. With 2:30 minutes left the Peacocks took their largest lead of the night thanks to an 8-1 run, 78-54. The lead held up over the final minutes of the game and the Peacocks seized their second conference victory in a row at Dorman Gym.
The Peacocks benefited from a balanced attack. Christa Hammel registered a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Andrea Downs scored 12 points and dished out 5 assists. Kim Thompson netted 11 points and had 3 steals, while Paige DeVine chipped in 11 points and 4 rebounds.
Upper Iowa will be back in action in Fayette once again playing host to the Winona State Warriors in Dorman Gym. The game will be next Saturday, February 2, at 6:00 p.m. UIU will be playing for their third straight conference win and third straight win at home.
