THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S HOOPS… Upper Iowa welcomes the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University and the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls for the team's first Northern Sun Conference home games of the season. Friday night is Denim Night and Saturday evening is set for Ugly Holiday Sweater Night for fans.
 
SEEING 20/20… Senior Sam Ofstad and sophomore Blair Klostermann have each topped the 20-point plateau in UIU's last two games.  Ofstad scored 26 points at Truman State University and Klostermann dropped 21 in the Peacocks' NSIC Opener at Winona State University.  The pair of guards lead the team in scoring; Klostermann is averaging 12.4 points a game, while Ofstad is also in double figures with 11.2 points a game.
 
MY TURN TONIGHT… Through Upper Iowa's first five games of the season, the Peacocks have had a different leading scorer in each contest. Blake Bergren (13 vs. FHSU), Ashley Ray (14 at MWSU), Kari Fitzpatrick (17 at LU), Ofstad (26 at TSU) and Klostermann (21 at WSU) have all taking their turn at the top of the scoring chart.
 
PICKING UP FREEBIES… The Peacocks are loading up on trips to the free throw line this season. As a team, the Peacocks have converted 78.2% (68-87) of their free throw attempts, which ranks 18th nationally and leads the NSIC.
 
A TALE OF TWO HALVES... The Peacocks have been playing well in the first half against five very talented opponents so far this season. Upper Iowa has led at halftime one time (32-30 at WSU), but they are headed to the locker room at the break trailing by an average of just over five points. The trouble has come in the second half where opponents have outscored Upper Iowa by an average of nearly 17 points (46.4-29.6).
 
NSIC SERIES HISTORY… Since UIU joined the Northern Sun prior to the 2006-07 season, the Peacocks are 12-7 against the SMSU Mustangs and 1-8 versus the USF Cougars. Upper Iowa has won nine straight match-ups against SMSU dating back to the 2011-12 season, but have lost five straight to USF. The team's only win against the Cougars came in 2013 in Fayette (78-75).
 
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS… Last week, the Mustangs dropped a 75-40 decision at home to Sioux Falls in both teams' conference opener. SMSU is averaging 52.8 points a game led by junior forward Lauren Hedlund's 10.6 point average and 32.8 rebounds per game led by Taylor Holicky, who is averaging 7.6 per game.
 
SCOUTING THE COUGARS… The Cougars pushed their winning streak to five games with two double-digit victories last week. Sioux Falls defeated Dakota State University (70-56) and SMSU (75-40). Sam Knecht was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week after averaging a double-double (16/11) for the second straight week. Madi Robson recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 assists against DSU.