Nov. 9, 2008
Box Score
The Peacock women's basketball team traveled to Iowa City this afternoon to face the Division I-Hawkeyes of the University of Iowa. The Hawkeyes used their size advantage in the opening minutes to build an 11-2 lead over the first five minutes. The home team scored four of their first five baskets on lay ups and limited the visitors to just one shot per trip in the opening minutes; the Peacock points came on Paige DeVine free throws. Upper Iowa cut the deficit to 15-7 midway through the half on a jumper by Britney Iredale and a three-point play from Andrea Downs.
UIU continued their rally with an inside bucket by DeVine and a three-pointer from the hand of freshman Melissa Fitz. The two scores pulled the Peacocks to within four, 16-12, with eight minutes to play. Over the final eight minutes, Iowa began to pull away as they outscored Upper Iowa 16-11 over the remainder of the half.
Downs led the Peacocks in the first half with 10 points and 2 assists while DeVine added 6 points and 4 rebounds. The Hawkeyes were led by Nicole VanderPol (6 points / 4 rebounds) and Wendy Ausdemore (5 points / 2 assists). The home team controlled the glass in the first half out rebounding their guests 23-9 including a 7-0 advantage in offensive boards. The Hawkeyes shot 48% in the first half, but the Peacocks forced Iowa into 11 turnovers.
In the opening five minutes of the second half, Iowa extended their lead to thirteen points, 42-29. UIU's early six points came on three buckets by freshman Lana Otting. Downs cut the margin to ten, 42-32, with 13:12 to play with her second three-point play of the game. Upper Iowa got within nine points at the 11:20 mark when Fitz drained a long three-pointer from the left side. Fitz continued her assault on the net with three more bombs from behind the arc to keep the Peacocks within range. Fitz's fifth trifecta pulled UIU back to within nine, 55-46, with just over eight minutes to play.
Iowa pounded the ball inside on their next two possessions and pushed their lead back to fourteen points, 60-46. Two Fitz free throws and a Downs lay in made the score 60-50 with 5:30 to play. The Hawkeyes continued to wear down the Peacocks in the paint as they jumped back out to a 66-52 lead with just under four minutes to play. An Ausdemore three-pointer gave the home team a 69-54 advantage on the scoreboard with three minutes to play.
In the end, Iowa defeated the Peacocks, 74-54. Upper Iowa gave a tremendous effort to give the Hawkeyes a run in the second half as they wrapped up their preseason schedule. Fitz led the Peacocks in scoring with 17, while Downs added 15 and 6 assists. Britney Iredale chipped in 8 points and 4 steals for the road team. DeVine led UIU in boards with 5 while adding 6 points.
Iowa was led by Ausdemore (17 points / 5 reb.) and Megan Skouby (14 points / 7 reb.).
For the game, the Hawkeyes dominated the glass owning a 54-21 advantage and an 18-2 tilt on offensive rebounds. The Upper Iowa defense did bother the home team quite a bit as they forced Iowa into 20 turnovers.
Upper Iowa will open their regular season next Saturday, Nov. 15, in Dorman Gym. The Peacocks will welcome the Hawks of Rockhurst University to Fayette for a 6 p.m. start.
