THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S HOOPS… Upper Iowa women's basketball travels to Missouri for a pair of matchups before coming back to Fayette this weekend to finish off their non-conference schedule. The squad heads to Rockhurst University on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip off. UIU has a quick turnaround as they return to play the next day at William Jewell. Game time in the Mabee Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Peacocks come back to home court on Saturday to take on Truman State University at 2 p.m. 
 
LIVE COVERAGE OPTIONS… Live stats and webcasts for the games will be available through the links at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE and included with this story. The contests 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, the game against Truman State will be aired live on KCRG-TV 9.2 at 2 p.m.
 
DIGITAL GAMEDAY PROGRAMS… Fans can access an interactive and digital gameday program for UIU's home contest at any time at UIUPeacocks.com/Programs. The digital programs are available to fans both at our games and those at home watching the action. QR Codes will also be located around the facility to scan with your cell phone's camera that will link you directly to that game's specific digital gameday program.
 
NSIC PRESEASON COACHES' POLL…The Northern Sun Conference has released the 2022-23 NSIC Women's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll and the Peacocks are picked eighth in the NSIC South and 15^th overall. Minnesota State University, Mankato was selected by the league coaches as the preseason favorite; the Mavericks received 216 points, garnering eight first place votes to sit three points ahead of the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs had 213 points and seven first place votes. Augustana University was third with 182 points and the other first place vote. 
 
PEACOCK HUE REVIEW…  After going undefeated in the Central Region Challenge, the Peacocks started their 2022-23 campaign 2-0, a mark that hasn't been reached for the women's basketball program since the 2003-04 season. Upper Iowa defeated Southern Arkansas University 86-74. UIU trailed 17-9 early on, but went on a 17-0 run in the second quarter to put them up 54-36 at the half. The remainder of the game consisted of traded baskets and hot hands for both teams, eventually resulting in a 12 point win for the Peacocks. 
 
Upper Iowa went on to defeat Arkansas Monticello 74-59 the next day. After trailing 18-14 at the conclusion of the first quarter, the Peacocks went on a 10-2 run to open the second, gaining them their first lead of the game. The comeback stemmed from the top scorers of the evening: Lydia Haack, Callista Rochon-Baker and Helen Staley. The trio pushed their team's lead to 32-28 at the half. In the opening of the second half, Staley helped pace the Peacocks as she contributed 10 points in the third quarter to help push their lead to 55-45. UIU did not slow down as they netted an additional 19 points in the fourth, 12 of those coming from beyond the arc. Haack led the way in scoring with 28 points, going 10-20 on the floor. Rochon-Baker scored a career-high of 17 points after hitting five out of six three pointers. Staley added 17 points after going 8-9 on the floor. She also dished out six assists in the victory. The Peacocks will look to continue their win streak on the road this week. 
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK…Upper Iowa's Lydia Haack was named NSIC South Player of the Week in the most recent women's basketball release. Haack is the first women's basketball player to receive this award since Whitney Kieffer in 2013. The Elk River, Minn. native played all but five minutes of the two games averaging 26.5 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists per game. She scored 25 on Friday night and then added 28 on Saturday night. Haack converted 20-37 from the field (54%), 2-5 from deep (40%) and 11-15 at the free throw line (73%).
 
SCOUTING ROCKHURST… Rockhurst University played in the Nexus Classic and dropped to Walsh University (Ohio) 80-71 and defeated UW Parkside 79-74. The Hawks were picked 5th in the GLVC preseason poll. The team is led in scoring by Keegan Sullivan who is averaging 18 points per game and bringing in eight rebounds per contest. Two others are averaging double digits for Rockhurst: Molly Hummel (11 ppg) and Macie Conway (10.5 ppg). 
 
SCOUTING WILLIAM JEWELL… The Cardinals lost to Michigan Tech 63-32 and Northern Michigan 70-51 in their first two games of the season. They were selected to finish in 13th in the GLVC preseason poll. William Jewell is paced in scoring by Emree Zars who is averaging 10 points per game. Zars is also recording 10 rebounds per contest. 

SCOUTING TRUMAN STATE… In their most recent matches, Truman State fell to Hillsdale College 98-90 and beat Ursuline College 67-53. The Bulldogs were chosen to finish second in the GLVC preseason poll. Last season they earned a berth to the GLVC Championship Tournament as the No. 4 seed. They return two unanimous First All-GLVC selections Hannah Belanger and Ellie Weltha, both who are averaging double figures for the Bulldogs. Belanger is averaging 24.5 points per game and is shooting 8-20 (40%) from downtown. Weltha is bringing in 11 points per contest and is 10-20 from the field. Weltha is hauling in 8.5 rebounds a game, complemented by Alex Fanning with 7.5 per game. 
 
DOWN THE STRETCH… The Peacocks dive into conference play as they travel to Winona State University on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m for their first NSIC matchup. Upper Iowa hosts Concordia University St. Paul on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium. They finish up their week of competition at Minnesota State University-Mankato on Saturday, Dec. 3 with a 2 p.m. tip off.