Bekka Pierson registered Upper Iowa's first double-double of the season, five Peacocks shot 50.0 percent or better from the field, and the Upper Iowa women's basketball notched their first victory of the 2019-20 campaign against Concordia University, St. Paul on Friday night in Fayette. The Peacocks got into a deep 15-0 hole to start the game but regrouped to outscore the Golden Bears 65-48 the rest of the way for the exciting home victory.
With the win, Upper Iowa secured its first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory since Feb. 11, 2017 and improved to 1-8 (1-3 NSIC) on the season. Concordia-St. Paul fell to 4-5 (1-2 NSIC).
HOW IT HAPPENED…
- Concordia-St. Paul got off to a hot start to the tune of a 15-0 run thanks to 5-of-7 shooting from the floor and two makes at the line. Upper Iowa then managed to hold the Golden Bears scoreless for the final 5:32 while cashing in on four baskets including Pierson's first triple of the night to cut the deficit to 15-9 at the first break.
- Upper Iowa's run continued into the second quarter with nine-straight points to take an 18-15 lead on the visitors. The Peacocks went a perfect 4-for-4 to start the second frame. The teams then battled back-and-forth to a 26-all tie with Upper Iowa's scoring fueled by a pair of long-range scores from Pierson and Megan Peterson. CSP converted a layup on its final possession of the half, and the Peacocks went into the locker room down by a pair.
- The two teams each traded 11 points to start the second half before Pierson gave the Peacocks a brief lead at 40-39 with another 3-pointer. Upper Iowa then used a slim 11-10 scoring run capped off by a Peterson three to lead 51-49 with 32 seconds left in the leg. The Golden Bears attempted to tie the score with a layup on the ensuing possession, but a big block by Brooke Evenson preserved the home team's lead headed into the final 10 minutes.
- Upper Iowa's long-range game ended up being the difference maker in the fourth quarter. The Golden Bears converted six baskets during the frame compared to UIU's five, however Upper Iowa made 4-of-6 shots from downtown while CSP was held to 0-of-3. Back-to-back three-pointers by Pierson gave the Peacocks a 60-59 lead with 3:11 to go. Jessica Musgrave then hit a layup to push the advantage to three, and Natalie Dinius knocked down a triple of her own to give UIU more breathing room after the Golden Bears had crawled back within one with a pair of free throws. Ayla Lemke scored a bucket to get CSP back within one possession again, but the Golden Bears were unable to send the game into overtime as the Peacock defense held Concordia-St. Paul without a bucket in the final seconds of the game.
PEACOCKS OF THE GAME…
- Bekka Pierson registered Upper Iowa's first double-double of the season and the second of her career with 17 points and 10 rebounds, both season-highs. Pierson shot 54.5 percent (6-11) from the floor and 62.5 percent (5-8) from downtown during the contest
- Megan Peterson scored a career-high 15 points fueled by 54.5 percent (6-11) shooting from the floor and 75.0 percent (3-4) shooting behind the arc. She also added a career-high five assists
- Jessica Musgrave put 11 points on the board with 5-of-10 shooting, while Natalie Dinius and Lexie Lodermeier added nine apiece
- Marina Peinado dished out a game- and career-high six assists
STATS OF THE GAME...
- Upper Iowa knocked down 10 three-pointers during the contest, the most since recording 11 against McKendree University on Nov. 17, 2017.
- The Peacocks shot 43.5 percent (10-23) from behind the arc compared to CSP's 23.5 percent clip (4-17)
QUOTABLE...
UP NEXT... Upper Iowa welcomes Minnesota State University-Mankato to Dorman Memorial Gymnasium for a 3:30 p.m. tip-off on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to wear their best Ugly Christmas Sweater to the game.
