The Upper Iowa women's basketball team opened their season at the University of Arkansas-Monticello on Friday night. The Blossoms used a strong fourth quarter performance to pull away from the Peacocks for a 51-41 win.
 
The Peacocks and Blossoms played to a 12-12 tie in the first quarter. Each team grabbed a quick three-point lead in the opening frame, but UIU's Natalie Dinius erased the final deficit of the quarter with a three-pointer to knot the score 12-12.
 
In the second quarter, the defenses played strong allowing only four points per team over the first five minutes of the frame. With the score tied 16-16, UAM used a 7-1 run to push out to a 23-17 advantage with just under three minutes to play. A layup by Jessica Musgrave and free throw from Ally Fink before halftime cut the gap to four at the break, 26-22.
 
Upper Iowa came out of the break on fire and took a three-point lead just two minutes into action fueled by a 7-0 run highlighted by five points from Bekka Pierson and a jumper from Musgrave. After the quick outburst, the Peacock offense stalled scoring five points over the final eight minutes of the quarter. While the UIU offense struggled, the defense held tough and didn't let the Blossoms get away.
 
UIU entered the fourth quarter down two, 36-34, but the offensive issues continued. Musgrave hit a pair of free throws after three minutes of action to pull the team back within four, 40-36. The gap remained four, 42-38, after a jumper by Musgrave went from the paint with three and a half minutes to play. The lead grew to ten, 49-39, in the final minute taking advantage of time on the free throw line.

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Peacock of the Game… Jessica Musgrave led the Peacocks in the season opener with 15 points on 5 of 11 shooting from the field and 5 of 6 at the free throw line. Musgrave also added 6 rebounds.

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Stats of the Game…

• Arkansas-Monticello forced Upper Iowa into 22 turnovers and held the Peacocks to just 13 field goals in 44 tries
• The Blossoms also won the rebound battle 43-35
• UAM recorded only 8 assists on their 18 made field goals, while UIU posted just 6 assists on their 13 makes
• The Peacocks held their hosts to just 29.5% shooting from the field and 26.7% from three

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Quotables… "We competed on both ends for stretches and thought that our team grew. Arkansas-Monticello was a very tough and physical team and we definitely got better as the game went along. It was not the result we wanted, but tonight was another great step for our young team." – Head Women's Basketball Coach Nate Oakland.

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Up Next… The Peacocks will return to the court in Monticello, Arkansas on Saturday for a game against Southern Arkansas University at 1 p.m.