Upper Iowa dropped a 75-61 decision at home on Saturday evening to the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls.  USF used runs in the first five minutes of each half to push out to big leads and then held on for the fourteen-point win.  After the loss, the Peacocks fall to 4-10 overall and 2-8 in the NSIC, while the Cougars improve to 11-3 on the year and 7-3 in the conference.
 
The Cougars jumped out to an early lead in the first half, 22-5, just six minutes into the opening period.  Upper Iowa and their guests matched offense for the remainder of the half with USF outscoring the Peacocks by just two points over the final 14:19 of the half.  The Peacocks trailed by nineteen at the break, 46-25, as the Cougars used 56.3% shooting from the floor and 54.5% beyond the three-point line (6-11).  Lauren Buck led the Peacocks with 10 points at the break, while Aleesha Cleaver added 7 and Olivia Winkler netted 6. 
 
Sioux Falls used the opening five and a half minutes of the second half to push their lead to twenty-four, 61-37, but UIU's defense dug in and held the Cougars scoreless for the next four minutes.  While the Peacock defenders were taking care of one end, the offense picked up as well with Buck leading an 8-0 run with three baskets to cut the margin to sixteen, 61-45. Upper Iowa worked the final margin down to fourteen, 75-61, but came up on the short end against the Cougars.
 
Buck recorded her NSIC-best ninth double-double of the season with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Winkler added 12 points and Lindsay Carroll added 11 with eight coming at the charity stripe.  Sioux Falls took advantage of UIU's 13 turnovers and converted them into 23 points.
 
Upper Iowa will remain at home next weekend with games against Minot State University and the University of Mary on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16-17.