THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK HOOPS… Women's basketball hosts two home contests this weekend to kick off 2023. Coming off their first NSIC victory last weekend, Upper Iowa will continue conference play in search of another win as they host Bemidji State University on Friday, Jan. 6 at 5:30 p.m. The following day, they welcome Minnesota Crookston for a 3:30 p.m. tip off.
LIVE COVERAGE OPTIONS… Live stats and a webcast for the games will be available through the links at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE and included with this story. The games 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, Friday's game will air live at 5:30 p.m. on KCRG 9.2. Saturday's matchup will be aired live at 3:30 p.m. on KCRG 9.2.
PEACOCK HUE REVIEW… The Peacocks continued basketball action last weekend as they matched up against Winona State for the second time this season. After losing to the Warriors 78-45 earlier this year, Upper Iowa redeemed themselves with a 70-63 victory at home on New Year's Eve. This marked their first conference win of the season. Tornstrom scorched the nets in Dorman as she gathered 30 points in the 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.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS… Upper Iowa's
Katie Tornstrom earned this week's Northern Sun Conference South Division Player of the Week honors after leading the Peacocks to their first NSIC win over Winona State. Tornstrom posted a double-double with a career-high 30 points and 11 rebounds and added two assists and two steals on Saturday in Upper Iowa's 70-63 win over Winona State. The senior guard shot 10-21 including 5-11 shooting from beyond the arc and added five made free throws in six chances. Tornstrom is averaging 14.3 points and 4.8 rebounds through the first half of the season while shooting 40% from three.
SCOUTING THE BEAVERS… Bemidji State is currently 4-8 overall and 1-7 in the NSIC. Their most recent matchup against Minot State was their first conference win this season. The 71-58 victory for the Beavers snapped their losing streak that had been in place since Nov. 25. Prior to the Minot State game, they lost to conference foe UMary in an 84-52 final. Bemidji is led in scoring by Trinity Yoder who is averaging 14.5 points per game. Following behind her is Maddie Schires who is recording 11.3 points per contest. She is fourth in three point percentage in the NSIC, as she has netted a total 34-90 attempts (37.8%).
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES… Minnesota Crookston has a record of 6-8 (5-3 NSIC). They sit at fourth place in the NSIC North and eighth place overall. They are on a three game winning streak, most recently defeating Minot State University 70-53, and then the University of Mary 78-64. Emma Miller leads the team in scoring with 17.5 points per game (third in NSIC). Bren Fox hauls in 8.9 rebounds per game, which places her second on the NSIC leaderboard.
DOWN THE SNOWY STRETCH... Coming up, the Peacocks travel to Minnesota next weekend for two more NSIC battles. They start out at the University of Minnesota Duluth on Friday, Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. Their next matchup is the following day against St. Cloud State University. Tip off on Saturday is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
