After seven games on the road to open the 2010-11 season, the Peacock women’s basketball team finally got a chance to play in front of their home crowd in Dorman Gym. Upper Iowa welcomed the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato to Prochaska Court for a Northern Sun Conference match up.  Minnesota State dominated the contest thanks to large advantages in free throws and turnovers forced.  The Mavericks claimed the win, 72-44.

 

The Peacocks struggled in the early going against the Mavericks zone defense falling behind 17-4 just seven minutes into the game. The home team began to find their stride on the offensive end over the next six minutes. Upper Iowa climbed back into the game thanks to a 14-7 run that was fueled by seven points from junior Lana Otting. Unfortunately, the Mavericks outscored their hosts 18-4 over the final seven minutes of the half. 

 

Cassandra Deiters led the Peacocks in the first half with eight points and three blocks, while Otting added seven. The Mavericks were paced by Stephanie Haight’s nine points. Minnesota State took advantage of a 26-13 advantage on the glass in the first twenty minutes.

 

Minnesota State came out of the break and pushed their cushion out to twenty-nine points, 55-26, by the 12:41 mark of the second half as they outscored UIU 13-4 in the early minutes. The Peacocks steadied themselves, but the hole was too great to dig out of. As the final horn sounded, the Mavericks claimed a 72-44 Northern Sun victory.

 

The Peacocks closed the rebounding gap in the second half, but still lost the battle on the glass 51-42. 

 

Deiters finished with a team-high 12 points, while Otting added 8. Jen Herrick and Chelsea Arndt cleared 6 boards each, while Chelsea Garcia, Heidi McKean, and Otting all pulled down 5. Otting also handed out a team-high 5 assists.

 

The Peacocks (0-8, 0-4 NSIC) will get right back on the hardwood tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. in Dorman Gym. Upper Iowa will line up with the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State.