Upper Iowa gave one of the top teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference a run for their money on Friday evening as the Peacocks outscored the University of Mary in three of four quarters and played one of their best second halves of the season. Despite overcoming multiple double-digit deficits, the Peacocks fell to the Marauders 69-65 in Dorman Gymnasium to dip to 3-22 on the season and 0-17 in the conference. UMary improved to 14-6 (12-5 NSIC).

After falling behind by 12 points with 6:41 left in the game, the Peacocks mounted a fierce comeback fueled by a 15-5 run to pull within two, 63-61, with less than a minute to go. The Marauders made a pair of free throws on their next possession before Bekka Pierson cut the gap to two once more with a layup. UMary hadn't missed a free throw the entire game and continued that feat down the stretch by going 4-for-4 at the line to secure a 69-65 advantage.

Upper Iowa shot 50.0 from the floor in the second half compared to UMary's 37.5 shooting clip. The Peacocks outscored UMary 30-22 from the field but the Marauders held the advantage at the line as they made all 12 of their attempts while the Peacocks were only able to cash in on nine.

UMary's success at the charity stripe was a big factor in the game as the Marauders finished a perfect 16-for-16 while UIU converted 16-of-24. Upper Iowa played better ball in the paint, though, as the Peacocks outscored UMary 34-24 in the lane including an 18-2 advantage in the second half alone. The Peacocks won the turnover battle 17-14 and held a 15-14 scoring advantage off the giveaways. Each team hauled in 31 boards.

Upper Iowa came out of the gates with one of its best defensive performances this season. The Marauders got out to a 5-0 start but the Peacocks battled back with an 11-4 run to take an 11-9 lead into the second period, the first time UIU held an NSIC opponent to single-digit scoring in the first quarter this season. Upper Iowa forced the Marauders into five turnovers in the quarter while limiting its giveaways to just one.

UMary quickly regained the lead in the second period and pushed that advantage to as many as 10 points before Amanda Cartney's triple sparked a 6-0 UIU run to pull the score to 28-24 in favor of the Marauders. UMary finished the half on a 7-2 run to take a 35-26 advantage into the break.

As in the fourth, the Peacocks had to overcome a 12-point deficit in the 3^rd frame as well. Upper Iowa trailed 39-27 before Pierson scored six unanswered to kick off a 12-2 run that would pull the Peacocks within two. Natalie Dinius and Savannah Domeyer each made a pair of free throws during the stretch and Ally Fink capped off the run with a jumper. The Marauders didn't allow the Peacocks to tie or regain the lead the rest of the frame.

Pierson's 13 second-half points led the Peacock's scoring efforts while Domeyer (12 pts), Fink (11 pts) and Haley Martin (10 pts) all finished in double-digits as well. For the second game in a row, Martin was one rebound shy of a double-double as she finished with a game-high nine. Casey Miles, Laker Ward, and Marina Peinado each dished out three assists, and Domeyer swatted away four shots.

UMary was led by Macy Williams with 16 points and four assists. Coral Gillette and Gabbie Bohl each chipped in 12 points and the reigning NSIC North Player of the Week Cassie Askvig led the team with seven rebounds.

The Peacocks will look to continue their strong play on Saturday afternoon when they welcome the Minot State University Beavers to Fayette for another NSIC contest. Tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.