Catch the all the action...

This Week in Women’s Basketball...

The Peacocks open a four-game road stretch this weekend by travelling to the southwestern most part of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference territory for a pair of league tilts.  On Friday, UIU visits Sioux Falls, SD to battle the Vikings of Augustana at 6 p.m. before making a stop in Wayne, Neb. on Saturday for a 4 p.m. showdown with the #6-ranked Wildcats of Wayne State.  

Scouting the Vikings

The Vikings of Augustana enter Friday’s matchup with a 13-5 record overall which includes a 6-5 record in NSIC play and are on a three game losing skid after falling at Wayne State last Saturday, 73-69.  The Vikings enter the weekend in a tie for fifth place in the NSIC standings.

Augustana leads the NSIC in many different team statistical categories including scoring offense (79.6), rebounding offense (40.3), assists (17.39), defensive rebounds (30.11) and three-point field goals made per game (9.06). 

The Vikings also rank second in the league in free throw percentage by converting 77.8% of their free throw attempts which is second to only Winona State.

Scouting the #7 Wildcats

The Wayne State College Wildcats enter Friday’s contest with Winona State holding a 14-1 record overall and a perfect 11-0 record in league play.  WSC stands alone in first place in the conference and has a three-game lead over the second place Warriors.

Cascade, Iowa-native Ashley Arlen leads the Wildcat offense by averaging 16 points a game, third-best in the NSIC and grabbing on average 7.8 rebounds per outing. 

The Wildcats boast the best defense in the league by only allowing their opponents to put up 55.4 points per game.  WSC also ranks third in free throw percentage (77.6%) and three-point field goals made (6.67 per game).

Series History

Since transitioning to NCAA Division II before the 2005-06 season, the Peacocks are a combined 0-16 when playing against Augustana and Wayne State.

UIU is 0-6 against the Vikings of Augustana and 0-10 when playing the Wayne State College Wildcats.

The Last Meeting

Upper Iowa and Augustana last met on February 12, 2010 in Sioux Falls, SD with the hosts winning the matchup, 104-49.

The next night, the Peacocks dropped a matchup with the Wildcats, 83-54 in Wayne, Nebraska.

Getting a Second Chance

UIU rank in a tie for second in offensive rebounding by averaging 12.67 per game.  Only Minnesota Duluth tallies more offensive rebounds per game (13.15) in the NSIC while Minnesota State is tied with UIU.

Live Stats and Web Cast

Live stats and a web cast will be available for both games.  Visit upperiowaathletics.com for further details.

Looking Ahead

Upper Iowa closes out the four-game road stretch next weekend when they make one of their shorter trips of the NSIC slate.

UIU visits Southwest Minnesota State next Friday, January 28, before visiting Mankato, Minn. the next afternoon and entertaining the Mavericks of Minnesota State.  Friday’s tipoff is set for 6 p.m. while Saturday’s game will start at 4 p.m.