Box Score

Upper Iowa's women's basketball team closed out their preseason schedule on Sunday in Iowa City with an exhibition game against the #23 Hawkeyes of the University of Iowa.  The Hawkeyes used their length to disrupt the Peacocks' offense all afternoon coming away with a 95-41 win. 
 
The Hawkeyes took control early in the game taking an early 20-2 lead on the way to a 26-8 lead after the first quarter.  The home team controlled each quarter winning the ten-minute segments by 18, 13, 8 and 15. Iowa also took advantage of their opportunities at the free throw line in the game converting 17 of their 25 chances, while the visitors only reached the charity stripe 6 times making 4 of them.
 
The Peacocks were limited on offense due to their 26 turnovers, but in the midst of the chaos that the Hawkeye defense was creating two players rose above the pressure.  Freshman Karlee Grabau and senior Aleesha Cleaver led Upper Iowa against one of the nation's best NCAA Division I teams.
 
Grabau showed off the skills that made her an Iowa All-State Third Team selection after averaging nearly 18 points and 7 rebounds for Crestwood High School last season.  The freshman posted a double-double against the Hawkeyes with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Cleaver played tough leaving the game during the first quarter after an inadvertent elbow caught her square in the nose.  She returned in the second quarter to lead UIU in scoring in the first half with 6 points.  In the second half, the senior guard reached her 10 point total with two more field goals.
 
Grabau and Cleaver combined to shoot 10-17 from the floor including a three-pointer for the freshman; the senior added a pair of free throws.
 
While Cleaver and Grabau shined on offense, the remainder of the Peacocks struggled from the field converting only 6 of their 43 shots.  Iowa's 10 blocks certainly had a lot to do with UIU's shooting woes, but the good news for the Peacocks is that they will certainly not play any team for the rest of the season with the combination of length and athleticism that the Hawkeyes possess.
 
Iowa was led by four players in double figures including Megan Gustafson, sister of UIU's Emily Gustafson, who scored a game-high 19 points and collected 11 rebounds.  In addition to Gustafson, the Hawkeyes got 17 from Kali Peschel, 16 from Alexa Kastanek and 14 out of Tania Davis.
 
Brooklyn Schamens scored 6 points and added a pair of assists for the Peacocks and Carly Pagel and Madi Meier scored 4 points and grabbed 4 boards apiece.
 
The season will officially begin this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, in Marshall, Minn. with games against Fort Hays State University and Missouri Western State University.  The team will host their home openers in Dorman Gym on Nov. 17, 20 and 25 against Lewis, Missouri-St. Louis and Truman before opening up Northern Sun Conference play at home on Nov. 28 versus Winona State.