The Upper Iowa University women's basketball team bounced back with a strong performance in their second game of the weekend as they battled the University of Sioux Falls for the second consecutive day, but were unable to complete a comeback in the fourth quarter. The Peacocks started hot against the Cougars and secured an eight point lead late in the first quarter, and the 26 first quarter points were a welcome sight after the UIU offense only managed to score eight in last night's opening period. Sioux Falls pulled away in the second and third quarters and won the contest 86-78, improving to 2-0 (2-0 NSIC) on the season and dropping the Peacocks to 1-3 (0-2 NSIC).
 

Turning Point...

A night after leading the Peacocks with 15 points, Brook Evenson came out strong and scored the first 8 points of the game for UIU. She continued that strong start and finished the quarter with 13 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting including 3-3 behind the 3PT line. The Peacocks shot very well as a whole in the first quarter, converting 10 of their first 12 shots (83.3%) that included 4-5 from behind the arc (80.0%) and 2-2 from the FT line. Guard Lydia Haack nearly matched her output from the previous night by scoring 13 points in the first half. She and Evenson combined for 26 of 37 Peacock points in the first half without missing a shot from the field (9-9 FG, 3-3 3PT combined). 
 

USF held the Peacocks to only 11 second quarter points (3-11 FG, 0-5 3PT) as they turned their one-time eight point deficit into a six point halftime lead. The Cougar lead swelled to 15 at 65-50 following a 9-0 run in the third quarter, and got as large as 17 near the half-way point in the fourth. From there, UIU made their best comeback effort and went on a 12-0 run to close the gap to 83-78. The Peacocks were unable to claw their way all the way back and the Cougars went on to win the contest 86-78. 
 

Peacock Leaders…

• Haack secured game-highs with 22 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. She shot an impressive 7-11 (63.6%) from the field and led both teams in free throws made at 7-8 (87.5%). Haack led UIU with 36 combined points and 11 assists over the double-header. 

• Evenson contributed a season-high 17 points for the Peacocks while grabbing 8 rebounds for the second night in a row, bringing her weekend totals to 32 points and 16 rebounds.  

• Katie Tornstrom also added a season-high in points with 15 to go along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. 
   

Cougar Leaders…

• Anna Brecht led the Cougars with 19 points and 7 rebounds after scoring 20 on Friday. 

• Three other Cougars scored in double-digits, with Ashley Wells and Dallie Hoskinson adding 14 apiece and Anna Goodhope notching 13 points.
   

Up Next…

Upper Iowa will hit the road and head to Marshall, Minn. to face NSIC opponent Southwest Minnesota State University in a weekend double-header. Game one is scheduled to be played on Jan. 15 at 6 P.M, while game two is scheduled for Jan. 16 at 4 P.M. at SMSU.