Jan. 3, 2010
Box Score
The UIU women's basketball team closed out their longest road trip of the season in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The Peacocks took the floor against the Wolves of Northern State University. Upper Iowa had a chance to climb up in the standings as the Wolves came in just one win ahead of the Peacocks in the Northern Sun Conference. Northern State came out on fire from the outset and dominated the first half of play en route to a 90-55 victory. With the win the Wolves improve to 6-7 and 2-4 in the NSIC, while the Peacocks fall to 1-11 overall and 0-6 in the conference games.
Upper Iowa held a 4-1 lead one minute into the contest, but Northern State took control of the remainder of the half outscoring the Peacocks 45-17 to take a twenty-five point lead, 46-21, into the locker room. The home team shot 53% from the field including 5-6 from three-point land, while the road squad shot just 36% from the floor including an 0-2 mark beyond the arc. The Wolves also took care of the ball as they only committed one turnover, while forcing the Peacocks into 9 turnovers.
Northern State was led by Jenna Higgins, who scored 12 points and 4 rebounds. Upper Iowa was led Kenya Howard's 13 points and 8 rebounds. In the first twenty minutes, UIU had only three players mark the scoring column.
The Peacock offense clicked a bit better in the second half, but the Wolves were not to be stopped. The Wolves put on a three-point display that tied the team's record for three-pointers made in a game with 14. Northern State shot 70% from beyond the arc as seven Wolves sunk a trifecta. NSU extended their lead thirty-five points through the second half as they handed UIU a 90-55 loss.
Kenya Howard picked up another double-double in the loss. The senior sank 22 points and grabbed 10 boards to lead Upper Iowa. Paige DeVine scored 12, while Cassandra Deiters added 10 points.
The Wolves were led by five players in double figures. Jenna Higgins scored 14 points and collected 7 rebounds to lead the group.
Upper Iowa will return to the friendly confines of Dorman Gymnasium next Friday and Saturday, Jan. 8 and 9. The Peacocks will battle the defending NCAA Division II Champion and 11th-ranked Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato on Friday night and then host the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday night. Both games are scheduled to tip at 6 p.m.
