The Upper Iowa women's basketball dropped an 86-43 road contest to the 11th-ranked Cougars of University of Sioux Falls on Friday night after the Peacock offense went cold in the second half. UIU scored 17 points in the opening frame but was held to just 26 the rest of the way, while USF scored at least 23 in three quarters for the big win. The Cougars improved to 18-2 (11-2 NSIC) after the victory and Upper Iowa fell to 3-16 (2-11 NSIC).
The Peacocks started the game shooting 42.9 percent from the floor and 60.0 percent from outside in the first quarter, but began to cool off the second quarter when the home team contained their visitors to just two baskets on 12 attempts. Upper Iowa was never able to recover offensively as the Peacocks were held to a 25.9 percent clip in the second half.
Sioux Falls knocked down 30-of-63 shot attempts on the night and was almost perfect at the charity stripe with 17 makes on 18 opportunities. The Cougars were also dominant on the glass, outrebounding Upper Iowa 43-30.
TURNING POINT... After
Natalie Dinius pulled the Peacocks within six, 33-27, with 2:41 left in the second quarter, Sioux Falls scored the final four points of the half for a 10-point lead at the break. The Cougars then proved why they are one of the best teams in the nation with a huge second half, outscoring the Peacocks 49-16 along the way including a 23-4 advantage in the third quarter.
PEACOCKS OF THE GAME…
- Natalie Dinius and Caya Apostolou both knocked down three 3-pointers and reached double-figure scoring with 13 and 11 points, respectively
- Brooke Evenson and Marina Peinado led the team with six rebounds apiece, while Peinado also dished out a game-high six assists
STATS OF THE GAME...
- Sioux Falls held in an advantage in points off turnovers (20-2), points in the paint (38-12), fast break points (22-5) and bench points (40-19
UP NEXT... Upper Iowa heads to Marshall, Minn. to take on the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
