Upper Iowa women's basketball soared to a 74-59 victory over MSU Moorhead, snapping their five-game losing streak. In the history between these two programs, dating all the way back to 2011, this is the first time the Peacocks came away with a victory versus the Dragons. UIU improved to 7-13 overall and 3-12 in NSIC play after tonight's win. MSU Moorhead fell to 9-10 (6-9 NSIC) on the season.
UIU got off to a hot start, jumping out to a 7-0 lead behind scoring from
Lydia Haack and Calista Rochon-Baker. The Peacocks ended the first quarter with a 20-12 advantage. They shot 53% from the floor in the first ten minutes in comparison to their opponents who only netted 27.8%.
The Dragons kept within close proximity in the second quarter, only being outscored by the Peacocks 16-15 in that frame. Upper Iowa continued to rely on their three-point shooting as they went 5-13 (38.4%) from beyond the arc to extend their lead to double digits (36-27) and close out the half. MSU Moorhead went 0-10 from downtown at the conclusion of the first two quarters.
Both teams heated up in the third period as each shot over 40% from the floor. The Peacocks continued their trend of out-scoring the Dragons, as they netted an additional 25 points in comparison to 22 from their opponent. MSU Moorhead improved their shooting percentage from three-point land as they shot 4-9 (44.4%). However, UIU netted an impressive 5-9 (55.6%) beyond the arc. Haack,
Katie Tornstrom and
Emma Anderson each contributed to Upper Iowa's success from long range in that period.
The Peacocks led 61-49 going into the final segment. Each squad slowed down in the fourth quarter as shooting percentages and total points scored dropped. Upper Iowa's defense held MSU Moorhead scoreless for the last six minutes of the contest, driving them to their 74-59 triumph.
Upper Iowa shot 44% (28-63) from the floor in tonight's matchup, and nearly as well from the three-point line. They netted 40.7% (11-27) from long range. MSU Moorhead converted 34.9% (22-63) from the field and 23.1% (6-26) from beyond the arc.
Haack led all scorers with 24 points, including going 4-8 from long distance. Haack also handed out seven assists. Tornstrom tallied 15 points and Rochon-Baker and
Mia Huberty each contributed ten.
Mariah McKeever pioneered the Dragons with 17 points. Peyton Boom recorded 14 points and hauled in 11 boards.
The Peacocks are back on home court again tomorrow versus Northern State at 5:30 p.m.
