Box Score Records

MSU Moorhead (11-8, 7-8 NSIC) || Upper Iowa (5-14, 4-11 NSIC)

Recap

The Peacock women's basketball team trailed by just two points, 57-55, when Olivia Winkler put in a lay-up with 7:44 to play in Friday's NSIC cross-division game. Upper Iowa committed seven turnovers and failed to convert on any of their final eight field goal attempts and only free throw chance after pulling within two. Minnesota State University Moorhead's offense continued to plug away closing the game out with a 14-0 run over the final 7:44 to post the 71-55 victory.

Upper Iowa jumped out to a 15-9 lead six minutes into the contest after hitting six of their first ten field goals. Five different Peacocks scored in the opening minutes. The Dragons rallied over the next five minutes fueled by a 14-4 run that gave the home team a 23-19 lead. Upper Iowa returned the favor with an 11-4 run to push back out in front and claim a 30-27 advantage; the Peacock run was highlighted by three trifectas from the hands of Sam Thrapp, Whitney Kieffer and Laura TerHark. The UIU offense went cold over the final five minutes of the half scoring only three points, but the defene held strong as UIU headed to the locker room down just two points, 35-33.

Carly Pagel's jumper at the 16:59 mark of the second half gave UIU a slim 40-39 lead, but it would be the Peacocks last time in front. MSU Moorhead pushed out to their largest lead of the game, 56-45, with 11:06 to play thanks to a 17-5 run. Upper Iowa began to fight back sparked by a pair of three-pointer by TerHark. The visitors closed the gap to just two points, 57-55, in a hurry thanks to a 10-1 run that used only two minutes off the clock. Unfortunately, the Peacocks would get no closer as the offense stalled and couldn't get restarted.

In the end, the Dragons took advantage of points in the paint, 22-12, and points off turnovers, 27-14, to ensure the victory in northwest Minnesota. MSUM converted 21 of their 24 free throws, while UIU made 6 of their 8 opportunities at the charity stripe.

Prior to the final 7:44, the Peacocks converted 21 of their 45 shots (46.7%) but their percentage dropped below 40% after the final horn sounded.

UIU Leaders

TerHark… 12 pts, 4 3FG | Thrapp… 9 pts, 5 assists | Kieffer… 9 pts, 5 reb. | Buck… 8 pts, 3 reb., 3 assists | Pagel… 9 pts

Next Up

Upper Iowa will head to Aberdeen, S.D. for another road test Saturday evening at 5 p.m. The Peacocks will take on the #23 Wolves of Northern State University at the Wachs Arena.