The Upper Iowa women's basketball team fell 73-45 to Winona State University in their final game of the 2018 calendar year on Sunday afternoon in Dorman Gym. The Warriors improved to 6-4 (4-2 NSIC) while Upper Iowa fell to 3-11 (0-6 NSIC).

Winona State recorded its best shooting performance of the season converting more than 20 percent more of its attempts than the Peacocks, which allowed the Warriors to pull away early and never look back. Winona State held the advantage scoring inside the paint (28-18) and off turnovers (21-4) throughout the contest.  

After finding themselves down 11-2 early in the first quarter, the Peacocks rallied back into the game with an 8-2 run to pull themselves within three with just over a minute left in the first. Natalie Dinius hit a three to kick off the run followed by a bucket by Savannah Domeyer and a deep score by Marina Peinado. The Warriors hit a pair of free throws at the end of the first that opened up an 18-3 run and gave Winona State a 31-13 lead with 5:27 left in the half. Both teams would be held scoreless for the next 3:38 before the Peacocks converted four free throws to close out the half on a 4-2 run.

Upper Iowa struggled to keep up with Winona State's hot shooting in the second half and was outscored 40-28 to finish the game 73-45. The Peacocks went 11-for-12 at the line while the Warriors shot 50 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes.

Both teams were productive at the line throughout the contest. Upper Iowa shot a season-high 83.3 percent from the charity stripe (15-for-18) while Winona State converted 80 percent of its attempts (12-for-15).

Bekka Pierson (10 pts) led the way for the Peacocks followed closely behind by Dinius (9) and Peinado (7). Haley Martin recorded a game-high six rebounds. Laker Ward and Peinado each stole away two possessions to tie for the game-best.

Emily Kieck knocked down four 3-pointers to lead the Warriors with a game-high 16 points. Gabie Doud chipped in 15 and Kayla Schaefer added 13. Taylor Hustad finished with five rebounds.

Upper Iowa will open 2019 play with games against Northern State University on Friday, Jan. 4 at 5:30 p.m. and Minnesota State University Moorhead on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 3:30 p.m.