The Upper Iowa women's basketball team mustered a 68-51 win over Southwest Minnesota State University to defend Dorman Memorial Gymnasium. The Peacocks led for all but the first 34 seconds of the NSIC contest after the Mustangs scored the opening basket. Four double-digit scorers and two Peacock double-doubles helped UIU improve to 6-17 (3-14 NSIC), while SMSU fell to 11-10 (8-9 NSIC).

Upper Iowa benefited from an offensive effort that saw seven players combine for their 68 points, including 55 from a quartet of Peacocks. Jessica Musgrave led the way with a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double on 6-10 (60%) shooting from the floor and 5-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line. Mia Huberty scored in double-figures for the third straight game and fourth in her last five outings, notching 14 points and two rebounds. Katie Tornstrom added 13 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists off the bench shooting 5-8 (62.5%) overall and 3-5 (60%) from deep. Savannah Domeyer notched her third consecutive double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds while adding two blocks, one steal, and one assist. Brooke Evenson contributed six points and seven rebounds, while Lexie Lodermeier added five points and six boards.

Abuk Akoi scored 11 points on 4-13 (30.8%) while grabbing eight rebounds, tying Meleah Reinhart (11 points, 4-11 (36.4%) shooting) for the Mustang lead. Sadie Stelter added nine points on 3-14 (21.4%) from the floor.

After conceding the first basket of the game, Evenson knocked down a three-pointer and scored the first six UIU points to give Upper Iowa a lead it would not relinquish. Evenson's efforts helped spark a first quarter that UIU won 23-13. The Peacocks shot 10-19 (52.6%) from the floor and 2-4 (50%) from three in the frame while holding the Mustangs to a 2-11 (18.2%) clip from the floor and 1-3 (33.3%) from deep. SMSU's saving grace came from the charity stripe as they scored eight of their 13 points on 12 free throws in the quarter. After Evenson's quick six, the Peacocks went on a 17-4 run to build a 23-7 lead. The run was powered by 13 points off the bench, including all eight of Domeyer's first-half points and five from Tornstrom. The reserves finished the first half with eight points and five rebounds apiece, combining for 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the first half.

Huberty scored seven of Upper Iowa's 11 second-quarter points, but neither team could take advantage in the second quarter. The Peacocks shot 4-18 (22.2%) overall and 2-7 (28.6%) from deep, while the Mustangs shot 4-19 (21.1%) from the floor and 2-12 (16.7%) from distance. SMSU was able to shave their halftime deficit to single digits thanks to a half-court heave that went in at the buzzer, making it 34-25. The Peacocks and Mustangs went back and forth in the third frame, but Upper Iowa added to their advantage with a 19-14 frame thanks to points from six Peacocks. After taking a 53-39 lead into the final quarter, the Peacocks scored the first five points of the fourth frame to go up 19, their largest lead of the game. Musgrave scored 11 of UIU's 15 points in the quarter, helping the Peacocks secure a 17-point win on their home floor, 68-51.

The Upper Iowa defense allowed its lowest field goal percentage of the season, holding Southwest Minnesota State to 16-63 (25.4%) overall. SMSU's 4-25 (16%) clip from three was tied for the second-lowest mark allowed by UIU this season. Upper Iowa shot 25-67 (37.3%) from the floor and 5-17 (29.4%) from deep. Both teams got to the charity stripe often as SMSU shot 15-22, while UIU hit 13-of-18 freebies. The strong Upper Iowa defense gave them a 57-32 edge on the boards, including a 44-27 margin on the defensive glass. On the offensive side, a 13-5 advantage gave the Peacocks a 17-3 edge in second chance points.

Up next, Upper Iowa hosts the University of Sioux Falls in their penultimate home contest. The Peacocks and Cougars tip-off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, as UIU will be honoring its women's and men's senior hoopers after the women's game. The Peacocks will conclude their home slate against Minnesota State University Mankato on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m. after their non-conference bout against Iowa Wesleyan University scheduled for Feb. 14 was canceled.