Upper Iowa snapped a five-game slide Friday night in Dorman with a balanced scoring attack and a solid effort on the glass.  The Peacocks rallied from an early deficit to earn the eleven point decision, 74-63.  The win improved UIU's record to 4-9 overall and 2-7 in the NSIC and completed the team's sweep of the Mustangs this season.  SMSU fell to 1-12 overall and 1-8 in the conference.
 
The Mustangs broke a 4-4 tie in the first half with the game's only three-pointer in the early going.  SMSU held a slim lead over their hosts until the clock neared seven minutes to play in the half.  Trailing 15-14, Lauren Buck netted UIU's first trifecta of the night from the top of the key giving the home team a 17-15 lead.  Both teams struggled from the field, but began to put points on the board at the free throw line.  A three-pointer from Annessa Rosch followed a pair of Mustang free throws to snap a 23-23 tie and force a Peacock timeout.  UIU answered with a three-pointer from Lindsay Carroll and a pair of freebies from Sarah Benson to tie the game at 28-28.  A fastbreak lay-up by Olivia Winkler and a pair of makes at the charity stripe from Carroll gave the Peacocks a four-point lead, 32-28, at the break thanks to the 9-0 run over the final minute and a half.
 
Eight points in the early going by Winkler helped Upper Iowa outscore Southwest Minnesota State 17-8 to open the half to push the Peacocks out to a 47-36 lead.  SMSU was able to cut the lead under to eight, 49-41 thanks to a quick 5-0 run, but the home team answered to return the lead to double figures and took their largest lead of fifteen, 59-44, with 8:11 showing on the clock.  A 10-2 run by UIU's guests cut the margin to seven, 61-54, heading into the game's final media timeout.  Upper Iowa headed to the free throw line over the final three minutes and cemented the 74-63 victory.
 
Carroll led the scoring attack with 21 points, while Winkler and Buck joined her in double figures with 16 and 13 points, respectively.  Buck posted her eighth double-double of the season thanks to 14 rebounds, while Winkler added 8.  As a team, Upper Iowa outrebounded their guests 38-25 and picked up 12 on the offensive end. 
 
The Peacocks will be back on Prochaska Court on Saturday evening to take on the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls at 4 p.m.  An autograph session with the players and coaches will follow Saturday's contest in Dorman Gym.