The University of Sioux Falls used a high-pressure defense in the first half of Saturday's Northern Sun Conference game with the Peacocks to establish a big lead and cruised to an 83-41 victory in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Cougars held all the Peacock scorers in single-digits on the way to USF's third straight win in the NSIC. USF is now 5-1 on the season and 3-0 in the conference, while UIU is 2-7 overall and 0-3 in the Northern Sun.
 
Sioux Falls dominated the opening two quarters pushing out to a 52-20 lead at the break. The Cougars were on fire in the first quarter knocking down 11 of their 14 shots including 6 of 7 from behind the three-point line. USF cooled in the second quarter, but still converted 4 three-pointers and 5 free throws to cross the 50-point mark prior to halftime.
 
UIU knocked down three shots in the opening quarter; all of the makes were three-pointers. The Peacocks added five made field goals in the second quarter. In the half, UIU hit 8 of their 27 attempts and did not attempt a free throw. Upper Iowa turned the ball over 10 times in the opening half.
 
Upper Iowa's defense was a bit stingier in the second half allowing just 31 points to the Cougars, but only netted 21 points on offense. The Peacocks converted 5 field goals in the second half, but went 8 of 10 at the free throw line.
 
Haley Martin led the Peacocks with 8 points, on 3 of 4 shooting, and 9 rebounds.
 
Lauren Sanders paced the Cougars with 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Kaely Hummel added 14 points and Jasmine Harris chipped in 12.
 
Upper Iowa returns home next Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9 for a pair of NSIC contests against the Golden Bears of Concordia University, St. Paul and the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato.