THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S HOOPS... The Upper Iowa University women's basketball team will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. to face the Augustana University Vikings in another road double-header. After the Peacocks dropped two hard-fought games at home versus Wayne State College last weekend, they hold a record of 1-7 (0-6 NSIC) at the midway point in the season. The Augies won the first game of their double-header last weekend but had their second game cancelled due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The Vikings have a 4-3 (3-2 NSIC) record and are 2-2 when playing at home.
LIVE OPTIONS… We've got you covered with several live options while the Peacocks are on the road. Live stats and an NSIC webcast produced by Augustana University will be available through the links at UIUPeacocks.com/Live. The games will also stream live on the new NSIC Network app through Roku and Fire devices, as well as Apple and Android TV.
A NEW LEADING LADY… Freshman guard Lydia Haack will enter the weekend as the leading scorer in the NSIC with 138 points over eight games. She tallied 40 points over the home double-header and surpassed weekend opponent Erin Norling (36 weekend points, 136 overall) of Wayne State for the top spot in the conference. Haack's 17.3 points per game lead the Peacocks and rank fourth in the NSIC. Her consistency from the charity stripe has helped her secure the top scoring spot, and she continues to lead the conference in both made (46) and attempted (51) free throws.
SEASON-HIGH SCORERS... Five different players recorded season-high scoring totals in Friday's game against Wayne State as Upper Iowa had eight different players score six or more points. Of the season-high scorers, Brooke Evenson led the way with 18 points. The others included Lexie Lodermeier, who scored 9 points and added a season-high 9 rebounds, Alaina Brenning and Ally Fink with 7 points apiece, and Caralina Apostolou who hit two 3PT shots off the bench and scored 6 points.
TURNING OVER THE HISTORY BOOKS... The Peacocks kept their turnovers to single digits in both contests this past weekend with 7 giveaways on Saturday and only 4 on Friday. The last time UIU had a single-digit turnover game was over two years ago on 1/19/19. Their 4 turnovers in Friday's game are the lowest in program history while at the Division-II level. Upper Iowa had a turnover margin of +11 after turning over the Wildcats 18 times on Saturday, and that marked their best differential since 2/17/12 when they also notched a +11 mark.
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS… The Vikings were picked to finish second in the 2020-21 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Last year's team finished with a record of 17-11 overall and was tied for third place in the NSIC South Division with a conference record of 12-10. Augie coach Dave Krauth is in his 32nd season at the helm for the Vikings and has a 647-283 record at Augustana. The Augies return two starters from last season in Aislinn Duffy and Hannah Mitby who are averaging double figures in scoring this season. Duffy averages 13.9 points, a team-high 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting an impressive 50/47/96 clip. Mitby averages 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Sophomore Lauren Sees, a fellow NSIC All-Freshman Team member of her teammate Duffy, leads the team with 15.3 points per game and adds 4.1 rebounds per game. Izzy Van Veldhuizen is the other double-figure Augie scorer at 14.7 points, 6 rebounds, and a team-high 2.9 assists per game.
