THIS WEEKEND IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S HOOPS… The Upper Iowa University women's basketball team will play their final games of the 2020-21 campaign in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium following a tough road double-header against the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Peacocks were unable to steal a victory on their final road trip of the season this past weekend as they dropped to a 1-13 overall record and were still unable to get into the win column in NSIC play, falling to a record of 0-11 in conference games. The Winona State Warriors come to Fayette, Iowa following a weekend split on the road against the Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears. The Warriors own a 3-7 (3-6 NSIC) record this season and are 2-4 as the visitors on the year.
ATTENDANCE POLICY & LIVE OPTIONS… Fan attendance at the games this weekend is limited to invite only. Don't worry if you don't get an invite… we've got you covered with several live options. Live stats and a webcast 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. Search for "NSIC Network" to find the app on your relevant device. Locally, Friday's game will be broadcast on KCRG-TV 9.3, with Saturday's action being available on KCRG-TV 9.2.
SO LONG, SENIORS… The Peacocks will be celebrating two departing seniors at the conclusion of the weekend double-header.
Natalie Dinius and
Ally Fink will leave Upper Iowa with a combined 8 years and 178 games of experience. Heading into the final weekend of their careers, the duo has combined for 1,029 points, 375 rebounds, and 105 assists. Dinius has been a consistent scoring threat since joining the Peacocks as she sits at 783 career points, holds a 7.8 career points per game average, and has made 170 of her 534 (31.8%) shots from 3PT territory while also shooting 121-164 (74.8%) from the charity stripe. Fink has been an efficient shooter en route to her 246 career points, hitting 96 of 222 (43.2%) shots from the field, 18 of 52 (34.6%) shots from deep, and 36-48 (75%) attempts at the free throw line. Both seniors have had their moments this season as well. Dinius scored a season-high 12 points on 5-11 (45.5%) shooting in the third game of the season and has made three starts on the year. Fink has tied her season-high twice with a pair of 7-point games at home, has sent away two or more opponent shots on three occasions and matched a career-high with 4 blocks in the team's third game, and has made two starts for the Peacocks.
SIBLING RIVALRY... The contests between the Peacocks and the Warriors feature a frontcourt matchup to watch as sisters
Lexie Lodermeier (Upper Iowa) and Sydney Lodermeier (Winona State) face off against one another. This weekend will mark the third and fourth matchups between the natives of Goodhue, Minn. in their college careers, and younger sister Lexie is looking to secure her first victory over her older sister's squad as the teams match up in Fayette.
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS… Winona State was tied with Augustana for second place in the NSIC South Division and received two first-place votes in the 2021 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Last year's squad finished the season with a 17-11 (12-10 NSIC) record and won a game in the NSIC Tournament, but this year's team has a 3-7 (3-6 NSIC) record and is seventh in the South Division. The Warriors' senior forward Taylor Hustad leads the team with 11.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, while dishing out 2.1 assists and securing 1.1 steals per game. Her rebounding average ranks second in the NSIC. Senior center Emma Fee also averages double digits in scoring with 10.9 points per game on 50% shooting while grabbing 4.6 rebounds per game as well. Senior guard Allie Pickrain scores 7.9 points per contest and has shot 20-40 (50%) from behind the 3PT arc this season. Head coach Scott Ballard is in his 17th season at the helm for the Warriors and has a record of 186-148 in that time.
