Upper Iowa returned to the court late this afternoon at Bemidji State University for their third Northern Sun Conference contest of the season. The Peacocks dominated the glass by a 45-36 count, but turnovers once again proved to be the turning point in the game. UIU committed 24 turnovers on their way to a 79-65 loss to the Beavers. The loss dropped the team’s record to 0-7 overall and 0-3 in the early NSIC season.

 

UIU’s tandem of Heidi McKean and Cassandra Deiters led the Peacocks with 16 and 14 points respectively. The pair combined to shoot 11 of 23 from the floor and each pulled down 5 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. Lana Otting and Jen Herrick each added 11 points thanks to two trifectas each. Chelsea Arndt led UIU’s efforts on the glass with 9 boards including 6 offensive grabs, while Otting snared 6 and also had a team-high 6 assists.

 

Bemidji State took advantage of their 14 extra free throw attempts as they converted 26 of their 28 opportunities at the charity stripe. 

 

The Peacocks trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, but UIU outscored the hosts 11-5 over the final 4:43 of the first half to cut the margin to 38-30 as the teams left the court. A Deiters jumper to open the second half pulled Upper Iowa within six and the team kept the Beavers within distance over the first ten minutes of the half. Herrick hit a layup at the 10:46 mark to come within five, 49-44. 

 

UIU would get no closer though as the home team used a 13-3 run over the next five minutes to pull away to a 15-point advantage, 62-47. In the end, Bemidji State claimed the NSIC victory by a 79-65 score.

 

Bemidji converted the Peacocks’ miscues into a 28-5 advantage in points off turnovers.

 

Upper Iowa (0-7, 0-3 NSIC) will host their first home games of the season this coming weekend. The Peacocks will welcome the Mavericks of Minnesota State on Friday and the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip at 6 p.m. in Dorman Gym.