Four Peacocks got into double-digit scoring, everyone in uniform contributed to the game, and the Upper Iowa women's basketball team posted a 91-74 mark over Emmaus Bible College for their first victory of the season. The Peacocks improved to 1-3 overall while Emmaus Bible dipped to 0-7.
Upper Iowa used a big rally in the 2nd quarter to pull away from the Eagles and capture the Peacocks' first win since Nov. 17 of last year. The Peacocks shot above 50% on the afternoon and won the turnover battle, 22-16, for the first time this season.
After battling to an 18-all tie in the first quarter, Upper Iowa dominated the 2nd quarter and never looked back. The Peacocks started the 2nd frame with a 7-2 run but the Eagles pulled within three, 27-24, off a layup by Tiffany Williams. On the ensuing possession, Savannah Domeyer hit a layup of her own to spark a 22-8 run which saw the first half end with the Peacocks ahead 49-32.
The Peacocks scored 18 of their 56 points in the paint during the 3rd quarter - led by Haley Martin with six - to push their lead to 74-49. Upper Iowa's lead extended to as many as 27 midway through the 4th quarter but the Eagles kept battling and outscored the Peacocks 25-17 to close out the game.
Along with 56 points in the paint, Upper Iowa scored 48 off the bench, 24 off turnovers, and 12 off fast breaks. The last time Upper Iowa scored over 90 points in a contest was Feb. 7, 2015 in a 112-104 double-overtime loss to St. Cloud State University, and the last time the Peacocks shot .500 or better from the field was on Nov. 13, 2015 against Fort Hays State University.
Domeyer finished the game with a career-high 14 points after going 6-for-8 from the field. The sophomore also recorded a team-high six rebounds and added two assists and two steals. Ally Fink also enjoyed a break-through game as she chipped in 12 points, 7 boards, 2 blocks, and 2 assists - all career-highs. Natalie Dinius pulled down five rebounds and was the game's lead scorer with 16 points. Emma Gaber (10 points) and Dinius combined to hit five of UIU's six scores from downtown. Gaber also handed out a game-high six assists.
The Peacocks will head southeast to enjoy Thanksgiving break in a warmer climate as they travel to Puerto Rico for games against University of New Haven (11/22), Universidad del Sagrado Corazon (11/23), and University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras (11/24). Upper Iowa will open NSIC play on Dec. 1 at Winona State University.
