The Upper Iowa women's basketball team dropped a 99-74 decision to the Wayne State College Wildcats on Saturday afternoon despite putting up their highest scoring mark against a Northern Sun opponent in over 80 games. The Peacocks recorded this season's second-best shooting performance from three-point land and third-best overall, but the Wildcats cashed in on UIU turnovers to post the 25-point NSIC victory. 

Savannah Domeyer went 9-for-14 to record her third 20-point performance of the season, Emma Gaber went 4-for-7 from downtown for 12 points, and both Haley Martin and Casey Miles posted career-high assists. 

The Peacocks (3-15, 0-10 NSIC) shot 44.1 percent overall after going 15-for-28 in the second half. Upper Iowa made a season-high nine 3-pointers on 56.3 percent shooting from deep. Wayne State (11-5, 6-4 NSIC) nearly reached the century mark on 47.1 percent shooting overall, 43.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 80.0 at the line. The difference maker in the game was turnovers. WSC scored 31 points off UIU's 21 turnovers while Upper Iowa scored six off the Wildcats' eight giveaways. 

Both teams exchanged three triples in the opening frame but Wayne State held the advantage in field goals (7-3) and free throws (2-0) to take a 25-15 lead into the 2nd quarter. The Wildcats opened the second period on a 12-3 run before Domeyer and Miles paired up on three straight possessions to cut the deficit to 37-24. Wayne State snatched the momentum back with a Kylie Hammer trey on the ensuing possession which sparked a 13-6 run and gave the Wildcats a 50-30 halftime lead. 

Powered by scores from seven different Peacocks, Upper Iowa was able to put together a productive 3rd quarter offensively. UIU went 9-for-12 from the floor including 2-for-3 from deep to record its highest scoring quarter of the game. Domeyer added six points to her big first half, Natalie Dinius scored five, and Ally Fink and Caylin Rufus each chipped in four off the bench. Despite the Peacock's big quarter, Wayne State outscored UIU 27-25 in the 3rd thanks to three 3-pointers and 10-for-12 shooting at the line. Five more scores from downtown in the final quarter secured the 99-74 win for the Wildcats.

Upper Iowa shared the ball well recording 22 assists on 26 made baskets, tying this season's high. Martin led the effort with five helpers while Miles dished out four. The Peacocks also outrebounded the Wildcats 40-35 behind eight from Martin and a career-high seven from Laker Ward.  

Wayne State was led by Halley Busse with 18 points (63.6% FG) and four assists. Erin Norling filled the stat sheets with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Hammer knocked down five 3-pointers and a field goal for 17 points to go with four assists, three rebounds, and six steals. Haley Vesey (14) and Brittany Bongartz (11) rounded out WSC's double-digit scorers. 

Upper Iowa will prep for two more NSIC competitions on the road against Bemidji State University (1/18, 5:30 p.m.) and University of Minnesota Crookston (1/19, 3:30 p.m.) next weekend.