The Upper Iowa women's basketball team dropped a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference game at Minot State University on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 73-54. The Peacocks created more opportunities to score than the Beavers but struggled to find the bottom of the basket throughout the contest as they were held to the second-lowest field goal percentage of the season. Defensively, Upper Iowa couldn't contain the Beavers who took advantage of a season-high shooting performance to pick up their third NSIC win and sixth overall (6-16, 3-15 NSIC). The Peacocks dropped to 3-21 (2-16 NSIC) with just four games left in the regular season.
The Peacocks cashed in on 24 points behind the arc (8-25) and 16 of 18 trips to the charity stripe, but struggled under the basket as UIU was held to just seven buckets in 30 attempts inside the curve. On the other end of the court, Minot State was nearly unstoppable in 2-point range as the Beavers shot a blistering 72.2 percent inside the curve (26-36). The Peacocks did manage to shut the home team down beyond the arc (3-16), but efficient shooting elsewhere along with 12-of-15 free throws was what the Beavers would need for the win.
TURNING POINT… The Beavers pulled away from the Peacocks for good with a 15-0 run between the end of the first and beginning of the second. Minot State held a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.
PEACOCK OF THE GAME…Â
- Brooke Evenson led the Peacocks with 10 points to go with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals
- Jessica Musgrave was held scoreless from the field but contributed nine points thanks to 90.0 percent shooting at the line. Musgrave also added a pair of steals and led the team with six rebounds
STATS OF THE GAME...
- While Upper Iowa held the shooting advantage from distance and at the line, Minot State shot 48.9 percent better inside the curve to fuel the win. The Beavers outscored the Peacocks 52-14 inside the arc with 40 points scored in the paint. All seven of UIU's 2-point baskets were in the paint.
- Upper Iowa ended the game with more offensive rebounds than the Beavers (10-7), but the home team capitalized on their second chance opportunities more with an 11-4 edge in second chance points
UP NEXT... Upper Iowa returns to Dorman Gymnasium for the final home weekend of the season. The Peacocks will host Southwest Minnesota State University for UIU's annual Play 4 Kay game on Feb. 14 and No. 13 University of Sioux Falls for Senior Day on Feb. 15.
