The University of Sioux Falls Cougars remained undefeated this season (8-0, 2-0 NSIC) with a 72-62 victory over Upper Iowa.  The Peacocks fought hard to rally from a 18-point deficit midway through the second period and cut the gap to just six points heading to the fourth quarter thanks to a dominant performance in the third frame.  UIU came out on the short end of the final score to drop to 1-7 on the season and 0-2 in the Northern Sun.

The Cougars built a 22-10 lead in the first quarter behind a balanced scoring attack that saw six different players in purple scratch the scoreboard.  UIU was held to just two field goals in the opening quarter while converting five of their six free thows.  Sioux Falls was able to score in transition, from the perimeter and in the paint.

The home team's offense got going in the second quarter scoring 20 points in the frame thanks to four trifectas off the bench from the hands of Karlee Grabau, Madi Meier, Megan Todd and Haley Martin.  While struggling from the floor with her shot, Whitney Kieffer still paced the offense with four offensive rebounds and three assists in the first half.  

Despite Upper Iowa's offensive output, the Cougars still extended their lead to 47-30 at the break.  USF shot 61% (19-31) in the first half taking advantage of 8 Peacock turnovers.

Upper Iowa came out of halftime and began to whittle away at the Sioux Falls lead.  The Peacocks controlled the third quarter outscoring the Cougars 26-15 behind the play of Carly Pagel and Aleesha Cleaver, who scored seven and six points in the frame.  The home team shot 83.3% in the quarter converting 10 of their 12 shots including 3 of 4 from behind the three-point line.  UIU's defense played tough limiting the Cougar offense to 33% (5-15) shooting.  Upper Iowa used a pair of big runs in the quarter to climb back into the game; the runs came by 10-2 and 9-2 counts.  The second run pulled UIU within six points, 62-56, at the end of the quarter.

The defenses dominated the final quarter holding the offenses to just six made field goals over the ten-minute span.  The Cougars outscored their hosts 10-6 in the fourth quarter posting a 72-62 victory.  USF opened the quarter with four straight points to return their lead to 10 points and UIU was unable to get the margin under 8 over the remainder of the contest.

Amber Paden led the Cougars with 19 points and 6 rebounds, while Alison Klostergaard scored 12 and Taylor Varsho netted 10.

Cleaver  led Upper Iowa with 17 points and 4 rebounds, while Pagel added 9 points and 6 rebounds.  UIU got a boost from the bench on the night as Karlee Grabau (7), Megan Todd (6), Haley Martin (6) and Madi Meier (5) combined for 24 points.  Kieffer knocked down all 8 of her free throw attempts to reach her point total and added 11 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Peacocks will be back on Prochaska Court tomorrow evening at 4 p.m.  Upper Iowa will host the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University in Dorman Gym on Ugly Sweater Night.  Both teams enter the game looking for their second win overall and first win in NSIC play.