The Peacock women's basketball team dropped a Northern Sun Conference South Division game to the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University on Friday night. SMSU took control from the opening tip and never looked back as they controlled the second match up in the season series 90-46. With the decision, the Mustangs improve to 12-12 overall and 9-10 in the NSIC, while the Peacocks fall to 3-24 on the year and 0-19 in the conference.

Southwest Minnesota State controlled the first quarter knocking down nearly 65% of their shots including 86% (6-7) from three. The Mustangs outscored their guests 32-8 in the quarter after forcing 10 turnovers in the opening frame. The home team didn't look back in the second quarter pushing their 26-point advantage to a 39-point cushion at halftime, 55-18. SMSU outscored UIU 35-28 in the second half to set the final margin at 44 points.

In total, the Peacocks turned the ball over 28 times which the Mustangs converted into 33 points off turnovers.

Three Mustangs scored in double figures including Sarah Buysse (16), Abuk Akoi (15) and Caleigh Rodning (14), while four others scored 8 or more points. Eleven SMSU players recorded a steal in the game with Erin Baxter pacing the group with 4.

Haley Martin led the Peacock offense with 12 points and Savannah Domeyer added 8 off the bench. Erica Armstrong pulled down a team-high 6 rebounds, while Claudia Morente offset 4 turnovers with a game-high 6 assists.

Upper Iowa will head to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a Saturday contest against the Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls at 3:30 p.m.