The Tigers of Fort Hays State University handed the Peacock women's basketball team a season-opening loss, 66-32, on Friday night in Dorman Gym. The teams met as part of the MIAA/NSIC Tournament hosted by Upper Iowa University.
Upper Iowa's offense struggled from the field shooting just 21% from the floor on 11-52 shooting. The Peacocks got five made field goals from junior Blair Klostermann and two makes from freshman Savannah Domeyer; only four other Peacocks made a shot on the night. The Tigers forced the Peacocks into 24 turnovers which limited the home team's offensive opportunities.
UIU's defense made the Tigers work for their points on the other end of the floor. The Peacocks held their guests to a shooting percentage of 37% from the floor and 24% from beyond the arc. Upper Iowa kept changing defenses to keep Fort Hays State off balance, but 12 offensive rebounds and 8 three-pointers proved to be too much to overcome for UIU.
FHSU claimed a 24-3 advantage in points off turnovers, a 30-14 advantage in points in the paint, a 13-6 advantage in second chance points and a 15-2 advantage in fast break points.
Fort Hays State controlled the matchup from the outset taking each quarter and holding Upper Iowa in single digits in each frame. The Tigers won the quarters by scores of 15-8, 22-9, 13-7 and 16-8.
Klostermann led the team in scoring with 12 points, while freshmen Natalie Dinius scored 6 and Domeyer added 5. Haley Martin, Dinius and Klostermann all pulled down 7 rebounds apiece.
The Peacocks and Tigers were the second game on opening night on Prochaska Court; in the first game, the Griffons of Missouri Western State University defeated the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University. Upper Iowa will get back on the floor on Saturday at 5 p.m. against the MWSU Griffons.
