Upper Iowa fans will be celebrating New Year's with exuberant tintinnabulation as the Peacock women's basketball team battled to their first NSIC win of the season. The Peacocks defeated Winona State 70-63 this afternoon on home court. This victory brings their record to 5-8 overall and 1-7 in conference play.  The Warriors fall to 8-6 (2-6 NSIC) on the year.

In their first meeting this season, Winona State was triumphant, beating Upper Iowa by more than 30 points. However, UIU made it their resolution to construct the necessary changes in order to be successful in their second matchup. 

The contest began with Winona going on a 7-0 run. In an effort to not fall into the same low scoring pattern as last time, Katie Tornstrom broke the silence with a three-point bucket and a finish at the basket the very next possession.

Upper Iowa tied the score up at 13 just several minutes into the second quarter after a step-through move and finish by Brooke Evenson. The Peacocks capitalized on their first half of play by commanding a two-point lead at halftime after a triple from Tornstrom.

In the third quarter, Upper Iowa pushed their lead out to as many as eight points, stemming from the driving force of Tornstrom and Mia Huberty. Winona remained resilient and went on their own run to cut UIU's advantage to 43-41. By the end of quarter, the Peacocks were in charge 45-41.

Upper Iowa kept their lead for the remainder of the game. They were in control 61-54 with under two minutes left, ignited by Tornstrom's back to back three pointers. She tallied 13 points in the fourth quarter alone. The Warriors applied full court pressure and were forced to foul in hopes of getting back into the game, but the Peacocks converted the necessary free throws to claim their first conference win of the season.

Tornstrom scorched the nets in Dorman as she gathered 30 points in today's contest to lead her team to victory, converting 5-11 beyond the arc. She also hauled in a team-high of 11 rebounds. Other notables include Lexie Lodermeier recording 11 points and Lydia Haack dishing out seven assists.

Mattie Schimenz led Winona State in scoring with 20 points and Caitlin Riley added 13.

Upper Iowa returns to Dorman Memorial Gymnasium for a two-game homestand next weekend. They welcome Bemidji State on Friday, Jan. 6th at 5:30 p.m. and Minnesota Crookston on January 7th at 5:30 p.m.