THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WOMEN'S HOOPS… Upper Iowa women's basketball resumes conference play this week as they host Concordia St. Paul in their NSIC home opener on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. The Peacocks head to the University of Minnesota Mankato two days later for their next contest. Tip off with the Mavericks is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. 
 
LIVE COVERAGE OPTIONS… Live stats and a webcast for the game 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, Thursday's game will be covered by KCRG 9.2 and will air at 9 p.m.
  
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… Upper Iowa only had one contest last week as they took on Winona State to open conference play. They fell to the Warriors in a 78-45 decision, dropping to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in conference. A slow shooting night for the Peacocks prevented them from getting in the game and being competitive. In the first quarter, they scored just eight points and went 3-17 (17.6%) from the field in comparison to Winona State who gathered 19 points and shot 7-12 (58.3%) from the floor. In total, Upper Iowa had a lot of offensive opportunities, but struggled to convert. They went 17-64 (26.6%) from the field and 3-24 (12.5%) from behind the arc. Winona State hit 28-49 (57.1%) and shot an even better percentage from downtown, going 9-13 (69.2%). The Warriors are currently 7-0 overall and 1-0 in the conference. 
 
SCOUTING CONCORDIA ST. PAUL… The Golden Bears sit at an overall record of 3-2 (0-1 NSIC). They were picked to finish fourth in the NSIC South Division and fifth overall in this year's coaches' poll. In their conference opener, they fell to (No. 11) Minnesota State in a 91-61 decision. In their most recent matchups, Concordia defeated Jamestown (N.D.) 67-51 and North Central 80-40. The Golden Bears have two athletes averaging double figures. Lindsey Becher is contributing 10.6 points per game and Sarah Kuma is recording 10 per contest.
 
SCOUTING MINNESOTA STATE… The Mavericks are currently 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play. They were picked to finish first in the NSIC South Division and first overall. Minnesota State won their first conference game against Concordia-St.Paul in a 91-61 result. In their most recent contest, they downed UW-Parkside 80-71. The Mavericks take on Winona State, another undefeated team, in their next contest before matching up against the Peacocks. Minnesota State is averaging the most points per game in the NSIC with 83.4. Joey Batt leads the way for her squad in scoring with 17.2 points per game. She also leads the team in steals with a total of 15. Next behind her in scoring is Hannah Herzig who adds 14 points per contest. 
 
DOWN THE STRETCH… The following week, the Peacocks return to Fayette for two home contests. They battle the University of Sioux Falls on Friday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. UIU rounds off their weekend of play with a duel against Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday. Tip off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.