The Peacock women's basketball team trailed 19-18 at the end of the first quarter on Friday night against the St. Cloud State Huskies, but were outscored 17-6 in the second quarter to find themselves down double-digits. SCSU held on with strong offense in the second half to preserve the 17-point win. With the loss, Upper Iowa drops to 2-13 overall and 2-9 in the NSIC, while the win improves the Huskies to 8-7 overall and 6-5 in league play.
 
Sophomore Blair Klostermann led the Peacocks in scoring with 18 points on 5-11 shooting, including 3-8 from distance. The leading scorer for UIU converted all five free throw attempts for the game as well. Redshirt senior Carly Pagel added 14 points, and is now 27 points away from becoming the next member of the 1,000-point club for her career. Sam Ofstad totaled 10 points on 4-8 shooting.
 
Chelsea Nooker totaled a game-high 28 points for the home team, converting 10-15 from the field including 2-4 from behind the arc. Nooker also added 6-8 from the free throw line for a game-high. Betsey MacDonald totaled 18 points while Amanda Christianson totaled 12.
 
The Peacocks and Huskies traded punches in the first quarter. Klostermann connected on a three pointer to put UIU up 10-9 halfway through the frame, but the home team used a quick 6-0 run to build a five-point lead. Trailing 19-14 with 1:40 remaining in the quarter, Pagel connected on a fastbreak layup to get the Peacocks within three points. After a Haley Marting layup with 17 seconds left, UIU's Ashley Ray got a steal on the ensuing possession. As time was running out, Ray sent a pass down the court to Martin who put it in for a layup at the buzzer and a 20-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, replay review showed that the ball was still in Martin's hand as time expired, and the basket did not count. St. Cloud State held the 19-18 lead at the end of the frame.
 
The home team controlled the second quarter, outscoring the Peacocks 17-6 in the period, and forcing Upper Iowa into numerous turnovers as well.
 
The Peacocks totaled 22 points in the third quarter, and put together a 20-point fourth frame, cutting the deficit to 12 in the process. However, St. Cloud State was able to put together a late run to extend the lead back out to 15, and held on for the 83-66 win.
 
Upper Iowa will be back in action on Saturday night at Minnesota Duluth. Tip-off in Romano Gymnasium in Duluth, Minn. is scheduled for 4 p.m. Live audio is available for the game, and can be found here. The pre-game show is scheduled for 3:45 on the Peacock Sports Network.