The Peacock women's basketball team dropped their non-conference road game at Lewis University on Wednesday. The #20 Flyers used big first and third quarters to claim the 82-60 decision in Romeoville, Ill. Upper Iowa falls to 0-3 on the season, while Lewis improves to 2-1.
Midway through the first quarter the Peacocks were hanging in with their hosts pulling within one, 10-9, on a jumper from
Blake Bergren. Lewis closed out the half on an 11-4 run forcing UIU into three turnovers and 0-3 shooting from behind the arc.
Upper Iowa battled back in the second quarter led by their defense. The visitors held the Flyers to just five points over the first eight minutes of the quarter while cutting into the gap slightly. Back-to-back layups by
Kari Fitzpatrick and
Blair Klostermann pulled UIU within seven, 28-21, with just over two minutes to play in the half. Lewis scored five quick points, but Fitzpatrick closed out her solid half with a three-pointer to cut the halftime deficit to nine, 33-24.
The Flyers came out of the halftime break and attempted to put the game out of reach during the third quarter. Lewis spent the first four and a half minutes on a 15-1 run. The home team kept the pressure up building their lead to a high point of 26 points, 58-32.
The Peacocks entered the fourth quarter trailing 65-40, but the team didn't fold in the final quarter. Instead they dug down and outscored their hosts 20-17 to cut the final margin to 82-60. The Peacocks took advantage of their time at the charity stripe with 11 makes in 12 chances during the frame.
Upper Iowa held the Flyers leading scorer Jamie Johnson to just 8 points on the night after she opened the season with a 26.5 points per game average. Lewis turned to Jessica Kelliher, who turned in a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds, and Alyssa Siwek, who netted 11 points.
Fitzpatrick led the Peacocks with a game-high 17 points on 7-13 shooting from the floor including a trio of triples and also snagged three steals.
Haley Martin came off the bench and scored 8 points and grabbed a team-high 5 rebounds.
Sam Ofstad struggled to knock down shots, but dished up 5 assists and added a pair of steals.
Upper Iowa heads to Kirksville, Mo. on Saturday, Nov. 19, for a game against the Bulldogs of Truman State University at 1 p.m.
