Upper Iowa lost a Northern Sun Conference game at Southwest Minnesota State on Friday night. The Mustangs scored a 75-55 decision over the Peacocks after holding their guests to 26% shooting from the floor. UIU drops to 2-6 on the season and 0-2 in the NSIC, while SMSU improves to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
The Peacocks never converted more than four field goals in a quarter and only knocked down three three-pointers in the game. Southwest Minnesota State's trapping 2-3 zone allowed UIU's shooters open looks, but the Peacocks couldn't find the bottom of the net. Upper Iowa scored 22 of their points at the free throw line converting all but four of their attempts.
Early in the first quarter, the Peacocks grabbed an 8-2 lead thanks to a pair of three-pointers from Blair Klostermann and Natalie Dinius on two of the teams' first three possessions and a pair of free throws from Bekka Pierson. Over the next seven minutes, the home team rallied with an 18-4 run forcing the Peacocks into four turnovers during that time.
A jumper by Angelica De Paulo brought Upper Iowa within two, 23-21, three and a half minutes into the second quarter. SMSU separated from UIU with a three-minute, 10-0 run that expanded the Mustang advantage from 2 to 12 points. The Mustangs grabbed a 40-26 lead at the break fueled by three trifectas in the second quarter including one with 11 seconds to play in the half.
Upper Iowa closed the gap to 10 points, 51-41, after a layup by Klostermann with just under two minutes to play in the third frame. Southwest Minnesota State scored the final six points of the quarter to push their lead back to 16 when the horn sounded. In the fourth, the Peacocks got the gap to 13 points, but the Mustangs secured a final winning margin of 20 points, 75-55.
Klostermann and Savannah Domeyer both scored 12 points to lead the squad. Haley Martin pulled down a team-high 8 rebounds, while Domeyer was able to snare 7 boards.
Ashley Rosenstiel handed out 3 assists.
Caleigh Rodning posted a double-double for the Mustangs with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
The Peacocks will get back on the court on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D. against the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls.
