THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S HOOPS… The Upper Iowa women's basketball team will spend Thanksgiving break in Puerto Rico where they will play three games in the 2018 Puerto Rico Classico. The Peacocks will take the court Thursday afternoon against University of New Haven (4 p.m. CT) before facing Universidad del Sagrado Corazon on Friday evening (8 p.m. CT) and University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras on Saturday afternoon (4 p.m. CT). Live webcasting is available for all three games, but is only available on a pay-per-view basis.
PEACOCKS DOMINATE IN DORMAN… Upper Iowa picked up their first win since Nov. 17 of last season this past Saturday against Emmaus Bible College. Four Peacocks got into double-digit scoring, everyone in uniform contributed to the game, and UIU got into the winning column for the first time in 2018-19. After battling to a tie in the first quarter, Upper Iowa dominated the 2nd quarter with 31 points and never looked back to claim a 91-74 victory. The Peacocks shot above .500, the highest shooting percentage since Nov. 13, 2015, and scored more than 90 points for the first time since Feb. 7, 2015. Upper Iowa won the turnover battle, 22-16, for the first time this season and scored 56 points in the paint.
SOPHOMORES ON THE RISE… The sophomore class made up of Ally Fink, Savannah Domeyer, Natalie Dinius, and Emma Gaber combined for over 57% of UIU's scoring and 58% of team rebounds in the win over Emmaus Bible. Fink and Domeyer both enjoyed breakthrough games at post, each scoring career-high points and Fink adding career-high boards. Dinius and Gaber combined to hit five of UIU's six scores from downtown against EBC and lead the team with five and four 3-pointers, respectively.
SEASON LEADERS… Bekka Pierson, UIU's lead scorer, has averaged 10.8 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 58.3 percent from the field. Dinius averages 8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and has handed out six assists. Casey Miles averages 7.5 ppg, is tied for a team-high eight assists and has recorded a team-high six steals. Haley Martin leads the team in rebounding with 29 (7.3 per game).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS… The Chargers from New Haven have started the season 2-1 overall, dropping their most recent contest 65-59 to fellow Northeast-10 Conference member Adelphi University. New Haven has been led by Camryn DeBose (16.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 55.2% FG), Alexandria Kerr (14.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.3 spg), and Micah Wormack (9.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 66.7% FG, 7 blocks) this season. The Chargers have lost the rebound battle 111-100 against opponents thus far but have been impressive forcing turnovers, averaging 15.0 steals per game while boasting a +11.7 turnover margin. New Haven is shooting .401 from the field and averages 63.3 points per game. The Chargers are coached by Deborah Buff in her first season at the helm along with Steve Bower and Michelle Brandao. Season results and statistics for Universidad del Sagrado Corazon and University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras are unavailable at this time.
LOOKING AHEAD… Upper Iowa will kick off Northern Sun play on Dec. 1 at Winona State University. The Peacocks then return home on Dec. 7-8 for games against Wayne State College and Augustana University.
