The Peacock women's basketball team slowed the Truman State University offense down in the first quarter, but the home team found their stride and outlasted Upper Iowa 72-61 in Kirksville, Mo. Upper Iowa lost their lead in the second quarter and never recovered dropping to 0-4 after the 11-point decision. The Bulldogs improved to 3-1 on the year.
A three-pointer out of the right hand of
Sam Ofstad tied the score at 7-7 a few minutes into the game and started a 9-0 run by the Peacocks; the senior guard scored five points in the run. UIU led by six, 13-7, after a layup by
Blair Klostermann with over three and a half minutes to play in the quarter. A layup by Truman State was the only basket during the remaining minutes of the quarter as both defenses played strong.
Midway through the second quarter, the Bulldogs used a 10-2 run to turn a one-point lead to nine, 30-21. Upper Iowa answered with an 8-0 run of their own on four straight layups, but a last second field goal by the Bulldogs gave the home team a three-point edge at halftime, 32-29.
In the early minutes of the third quarter, Truman State tried to get away extending their lead to eight, but Upper Iowa once again pulled them back in and after a pair of free throws from Klostermann trailed by just two, 43-41, with just over a minute to play. The Bulldogs closed out the quarter on a fast 7-0 run to lead 50-41 fueled by a pair of three-pointers.
Truman State kept the pressure applied in the fourth quarter and extended their lead to a high-mark of 17 at the midpoint of the frame, 66-49. The visitors found their stride again over the final five minutes cutting the gap to a final margin of eleven after outscoring their hosts 12-6 over the final four and a half minutes.
Ofstad led the Peacocks with 26 points with 11 field goals including 4 triples; she added 5 rebounds and 4 steals in the game. Klostermann scored 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
UIU converted a new season-high in field goals for the game with 25, but turnovers continue to be a thorn in the side of the Peacocks; the team gave up the ball 19 times in the game, but forced 17 Bulldog turnovers as well.
The Peacocks are on the road next Saturday afternoon for a 4 p.m. tip at Winona State University in the Northern Sun Conference opener for both teams.
