Feb. 3, 2008
Box Score
The Upper Iowa women's basketball team walked onto the hardwood in Dorman Gym to face the Warriors of Winona State in an important game for the home team. The Peacocks have won two straight Northern Sun Conference games as they make their run at the NSIC tournament. The Peacocks fell short of their third win as they came up on the wrong end of a 74-54 decision to the Warriors. Although the score shows a twenty point deficit, the game was closer and more exciting than one might guess at first glance. Winona State built their advantage behind the arc as the Warriors shot 8-14.
Following tip-off the fans saw an exciting game as the teams were deadlocked at 10-10 after five minutes of play. The Peacocks had strong play early from Chelsea Petersen and Britney Iredale as they scored 4 points apiece in the opening minutes. At the 13:10 mark in the first half a Warrior three-pointer sparked a 5-0 run that gave the visitors their first significant lead of the day, 20-14. Seconds later, the Peacocks answered with a baseline jumper by Petersen to bring the home team within four, 20-16, but Winona State's three-point shooting barrage began and the Warriors took off on another 5-0 run as the lead would grow to 25-16.
The Peacocks took control over the next three minutes as Sara Best hit the lone three for the Peacocks on the game which started a 7-2 run that brought UIU within three, 29-26. The Warriors answered with an offensive show of their own going on a 7-0 run and extending out to a ten point lead, 36-26, with four minutes to play in the half. Both offenses seemed to stall over the final minutes and the teams headed to the break with UIU trailing 39-30.
The Warriors came out from the locker room and doubled the Peacocks output over the opening minutes, 10-5, giving them a 49-35 advantage. Upper Iowa didn't fold up their tents though and the home team rallied with an 8-0 run that lasted five minutes. The Peacocks locked the Warriors down and cut the deficit to just six points, 49-43. Unfortunately, the home team would not get any closer on the night. With eleven minutes to play a Warrior 10-0 run extended the lead back to double digits and secured the victory for the away team.
Leading the Peacocks with a double-double was Peterson as she scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Christa Hammel also brought down 7 boards and added 8 points.
The Peacocks will be on the road for two games next weekend as they play the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State on Feb. 8th and the Wildcats of Wayne State on the 9th.
