The Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University exploded for 27 points in both the first and third quarters to fuel their victory over the Upper Iowa women's basketball team in Fayette on Saturday. SMSU swept the season series with an 80-57 decision to improve to 3-10 on the season and 2-8 in the Northern Sun. UIU fell to 2-14 overall and 0-10 in the conference.

The Peacocks scored the first two points of the game and kept even with the Mustangs trailing by just two, 9-7, with just over seven minutes to play. SMSU took an early hold of the contest with a 15-0 run that gave the visitors a 24-7 advantage with three and a half minutes to play in the quarter. The big run was highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from SMSU. After taking a 27-11 lead into the second quarter, the Mustangs pushed their lead to 20 points, 37-17, just three minutes into the quarter. Southwest Minnesota State took a 42-22 lead into the locker room at halftime.

During the early minutes of the third quarter, the deficit grew to as many as 30 points, 57-27, with seven minutes to play in the frame. Ally Fink hit a layup in the final minute of the period to help UIU cut the gap down to 25 points, 69-44. Upper Iowa was able to outscore their guests 13-11 during the fourth quarter slimming the margin to 21 points before finally settling on the 23-point difference.

The Mustangs claimed a 45-37 advantage on the boards led by Lauren Hedlund's nine rebounds. UIU was led by Ashley Rosenstield and Bekka Pierson on the glass with 7 boards apiece.

Emma Gaber came off the bench to lead UIU's scoring with 14 points including a pair of three-pointers. Rosenstiel added 10 points and played defense strongly for Upper Iowa.

Erin Baxter scored a game-high 21 points to lead SMSU and Caleigh Rodning scored 18 points, grabbed 7 boards and handed out 5 assists.

The Peacocks will remain at home next weekend for a pair of games against St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota Duluth on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 12-13.