A dominant second quarter by the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls proved to be too much to overcome for the Peacocks on Saturday evening.  USF improved on their 23-point halftime lead in the third quarter, but UIU got their offense going in the fourth quarter to cut the final margin to 84-63. Sioux Falls improved to 13-3 overall and 7-3 in the Northern Sun Conference, while Upper Iowa falls to 4-12 overall and 3-7 in the conference.
 
The Cougars controlled the first half of action winning the first quarter by nine (20-11) and the second quarter by fourteen (27-13).  Upper Iowa committed 13 turnovers in the opening twenty minutes and struggled from the floor shooting 25% (7-28) as a team.  While the Sioux Falls defense was making life tough on Upper Iowa, the offense was hitting on all cylinders.  The Cougars converted 57% (17-30) of their shots including four of their nine three-pointers for a 47-24 halftime lead.
 
Carly Pagel scored a team-high six points in the first half, while Aleesha Cleaver and Kari Fitzpatrick both added five points.
 
The Cougars pushed their lead to 30 points three and a half minutes into the third quarter, but a 7-0 run by the Peacocks cut the gap back to 23.  The UIU run was fueled by scores from four different players.  By the end of the quarter, Sioux Falls led 64-38. In the fourth quarter, the Peacock offense scored 25 points including 6 from Sam Ofstad and 5 from Cleaver. After the baker's dozen of turnovers in the first half, the Peacocks took much better care of the ball in the second half with only three giveaways.
 
Cleaver led the Peacocks with 15 points, while Pagel chipped in 12.  On the glass, Karlee Grabau pulled down 7 rebounds to lead UIU and Pagel and Cleaver each added 6 boards.  Ofstad handed out 3 assists.
 
Next weekend, the Peacocks will head out on the road again with games at Minot State University and the University of Mary in North Dakota.  Upper Iowa will face the Beavers on Friday and the Marauders on Saturday.