The Upper Iowa women's basketball team were outscored by the No. 16 Winona State Warriors 48-29 in the second half of Saturday's Northern Sun Conference opener in Winona, Minn. The Peacocks claimed a two-point halftime lead, but the home team converted nearly 70% from the field in the final two quarters to pull away for the win. The 78-61 loss drops UIU to 0-5 on the season (0-1 NSIC), while Winona State improves to 6-1 (1-0 NSIC).

The first quarter featured four lead changes, with neither team gaining more than a four-point advantage. The Peacocks trailed 12-8 halfway through the opening quarter, and rallied to get within 18-17 at the first break. Trailing 26-20 with 7:00 remaining in the half, UIU closed the half with a 12-4 run, highlighted by eight points from Blair Klostermann in that span. Upper Iowa went into the halftime locker room with a 32-30 lead, and looked to continue that momentum in the second half.

Winona State jumped out of the gate in the third quarter, tying the game immediately, and then pulled ahead by nine points (45-36) with 4:30 left in the frame. The Warriors used a 14-4 advantage in the paint in the period to take a 58-46 lead going to the fourth. The home team led by as many as 18 in the second half, and finished with the 17-point win to take the conference opener.

The Peacock offense struggled in the second half, after converting 10-32 in the first two quarters. The Warrior defense held UIU to 8-27 shooting (29.6%) including 2-9 from the three-point line (22.2%). The big difference in the game came near the rim. The home team outscored Upper Iowa 42-16 in the paint, including 24-8 in the second half. Upper Iowa turned the ball over 14 times, and WSU took advantage with 19 points off turnovers as well.

Klostermann led the way with 19 points on 6-15 shooting, and 7 of those points came from the free throw line. Eight different Peacocks scored on the day, including Kari Fitzpatrick's 9 points and and 3 rebounds. Ashley Ray and Karlee Grabau chipped in with 7 points apiece, while Sam Ofstad totaled 6 points and 2 assists.

Upper Iowa will return to Fayette for the first time in the regular season next weekend when they host a pair of Northern Sun rivals. The Peacocks will battle the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. in Dorman Gymnasium, and then will take on the Sioux Falls Cougars next Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. Both games will have a live stats link, as well as a live webcast. The weekend's games will be available to view in eastern Iowa on KCRG TV 9.2 and 9.3.