Peacock women's basketball clawed their way to an undefeated weekend and their fourth NSIC win after a 63-60 victory over Northern State. Upper Iowa improved their record to 4-12 in conference and 8-13 overall. The loss dropped NSU to 12-10 (7-9 NSIC) for the season.
Northern State jumped out in front to start the game, commanding a 7-2 lead. After three back-to-back jump shots several minutes later, they pushed their lead to 13-5. The Wolves finished the quarter ahead 17-9, recording a 47% shooting effort. The Peacocks struggled to convert in the first period, only shooting 17% from the floor.
The second session was a quick turnaround for UIU as they outscored NSU 25-9.
Katie Tornstrom went on her own 8-0 run to open the quarter, fueled by two triples and a bucket at the basket. Upper Iowa took their first lead of the game halfway through the period after
Brooke Evenson netted a jump shot to put them up 23-21. The roles reversed as the Peacocks improved their shooting percentage to 50% and the Wolves dropped to 23%. UIU went into halftime with a 34-26 advantage.
The trio of Tornstrom, Evenson and
Lydia Haack scored all but two of the team's points in the first half.
Northern State regrouped during halftime, as they came out shooting 56% in the third period and outscored Upper Iowa 21-15. They cut the deficit to only trail by two points (49-47) going into the fourth quarter.
The Peacocks opened the final ten-minute segment on a 6-2 run on baskets from Haack and Tornstrom, but the Wolves retaliated with a 10-0 slide of their own. Amidst the run, Northern State tied up the game at 55 with under five minutes left to play. After two minutes of no scoring, NSU sank a jumper for the 57-55 lead.
Trailing 60-57 with 30 seconds left, Haack dished to Lexie Lodermeir for a jumper to cut the deficit to one point (60-59). NSU went 0-2 from the charity stripe the very next possession after being fouled. Upper Iowa advanced the ball and Haack drove from the elbow and stretched out for a right-handed layup to put the Peacocks up by one. After NSU turned the ball over and fouled in desperation, Haack converted two free throws to seal the 63-60 triumph.
Haack and Tornstrom combined for 47 of the team's 63 points. Tornstrom recorded a double-double as she hauled in 11 boards in addition to her 24-point scoring effort. Kailee Oliverson led the Wolves with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Upper Iowa shot 36% from the field tonight in comparison to Northern State who converted 43%. UIU netted 5-18 beyond the arc and NSU shot 3-11 from long distance.
Up next, the Peacocks play another pair of home matches next weekend. They host Wayne State College and Augustana University on Feb. 3-4. Friday's contest with the Wildcats will tip at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday's game with the Vikings is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
