The Dragons of Minnesota State Moorhead hit clutch baskets throughout the game, pulling away from the Peacocks to claim a 71-67 victory in the first game of the new year for both teams. The loss drops UIU to 3-8 overall and 1-6 in NSIC play, while MSU Moorhead moves to 5-6 with the win and 4-3 in conference.

The visiting Peacocks jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead when Olivia Meier hit a three pointer just seven seconds into the game and Olivia Winkler followed a Minnesota State Moorhead turnover with a layup. The Dragons came back with an 8-0 run of their own over the next four minutes to take the early lead. From the 15-minute mark until under five minutes left in the first half, the Peacocks trailed but never by more than five points. However, in the final 2:29 of the half, UIU shot 0-for-5 from the field while MSUM stretched a one-point lead into an eight point halftime advantage.

Upper Iowa started the second half by chipping away at the Minnesota State Moorhead lead. Less than five minutes after the break, the Peacocks had pulled within one following an old fashioned three point play by Winkler. But the Dragons battled back, using baskets on five straight possessions to build the lead back to seven points.

But UIU wasn't going to let the Dragons get away with an easy win. At the 7:35 mark, the Peacocks trailed by six. Then Ashley Rosenstiel hit a three to cut the lead in half, Lauren Buck knocked down a jumper to bring it to a one-point game and Olivia Meier converted a fast break layup to give UIU their first lead, 55-54, since it was 14-13 midway through the first half.

Minnesota State Moorhead quickly retook the lead on their next possession and held it for the nex few minutes, but the spread was never more than three points. Another Winkler three point play tied the game at 61-61 with just over three minutes left. On the ensuing trip down the floor, the Dragons then missed a three pointer, but grabbed an offensive rebound. MSUM put up another shot, missing again, but grabbed another offensive board. The Dragons made the most of the third chance, hitting a three that would put them ahead for good. Minnesota State Moorhead knocked down four free throws in the last 20 seconds to ice the game away.

Upper Iowa held MSUM to 38.6% shooting (27-70) overall and just 21.1% (4-19) from behind the arc. But the Dragons pulled down 20 offensive rebounds, giving them edge in both second chance points (22 to 4) and points in the paint (42 to 20).

Buck once again led UIU with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep, and added 12 rebounds and 5 blocks for her sixth double-double this season. Winkler had 14 points and 8 rebounds, while Carroll chipped in 12 points, 7 boards and 5 assists.

Upper Iowa heads to Aberdeen, S.D. next for a game against Northern State on Saturday Jan. 3 at 4 p.m.