Upper Iowa dropped a 65-34 decision to the Bulldogs of the University of Minnesota Duluth at home on Saturday. With the win, UMD improved to 11-4 overall and 8-3 in the Northern Sun. UIU is now 2-16 overall and 0-12 in the conference.

The Peacock offense struggled during the game converting 11 field goals and just 2 three-pointers. Upper Iowa registered only 3 assists and turned the ball over 23 times. While the offense was having trouble, the Bulldog offense took advantage in the second and third quarters to build up a big lead.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 9-1 lead seven minutes into the game, but the Peacocks were able to use a 6-2 run over the final minutes of the frame to pull within four, 11-7. Minnesota Duluth didn't let the momentum turn though thanks to a 17-4 run over the opening six and a half minutes of the second quarter. The big run put the Bulldogs ahead 28-11. UIU's Natalie Dinius scored five points late in the half to shave one point off the margin and set the halftime score at 32-16.

The third quarter was a mirror image of the second; UMD outscored their hosts 18-3 over the first six minutes and then pushed their lead to 32 points, 54-22, as the horn sounded to end the frame. UIU was able to outscore their guests 12-11 in the final quarter, but the hole was too deep to get out of with the Bulldogs posting the 65-34 win.

Bekka Pierson led UIU in scoring with 10 points and added 9 rebounds. Dinius finished with 7 points.

Minnesota Duluth got 15 points from Sammy Kozlowski and 13 from Taylor Schneider to pace the offense.

UIU will be on the road next weekend with games at Augustana University and Wayne State College on Jan. 19-20.