THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK HOOPS… Upper Iowa women's basketball is seeing their first playoff opportunity since the 2019-20 season. They head to Aberdeen, S.D. to take on Northern State on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m. The Peacocks claimed the South Division's No. 6 seed in the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament, which marks the highest seed the UIU women's basketball program has had since being a part of the NSIC.
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 for those unable to make it to Fayette. 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.
RECORD CHASING… Lydia Haack and
Katie Tornstrom will etch themselves into the record books after the conclusion of this season. Tornstrom has edged her way onto the leaderboard for made three-pointers in a season, netting a total of 49 so far. The Caledonia, Minn. native has the opportunity to climb the list as former Peacocks are sitting with 50, 51, 52 and 52 made three-pointers. She has joined her teammate
Brooke Evenson who notched her way on the list after the 2021-22 season with 52 made triples. Haack has clipped her way onto the leaderboard for assists in a season as she has dished out 120 dimes in 2022-23. She has gathered a total of 267 in her career. Haack is tied for third on the list with Sam Thrapp (2013-14) and has the opportunity to move into second place with two more assists, passing Tynisha Downing (2001-02) who recorded121 assists in a season.
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN… Junior
Lydia Haack has tallied 985 points in her Peacock career, 15 away from the 1,000 point milestone. She has scored 459 of her total sum in the 2022-23 season. The Elk Grove, Minn. native is averaging 17.0 points per game (third in the NSIC), 4.4 assists per contest (second in NSIC) and 5.9 rebounds per game. She is shooting 43% from the field, 41% from long distance and 86% from the charity stripe. Haack has the chance to eclipse the 1,000 point mark as we head into the postseason.
THREE-POINT PALOOZA… Upper Iowa women's basketball has continuously relied on their three-point shooting to win games and help keep them competitive. They are fourth in the NSIC for three-point percentage. The Peacocks have netted 181-549 shots from long range, totaling 33.6% as a unit for the season. In their last matchup against Minnesota State, Upper Iowa converted over 52% from long range on 9-17 shooting. Individually, three Peacocks are shooting over 40% from the floor.
Lydia Haack is shooting 41%,
Callista Rochon-Baker 42% and Aliana Brenning 46%. Following close behind are
Katie Tornstrom and
Mia Huberty who are each converting 32% from beyond the arc.
SCOUTING THE WOLVES… Northern State finished third place in the NSIC North with a conference record of 12-10 and an overall mark of 17-11. The Wolves are on a four-game winning streak coming into this contest, most recently defeating UMary (63-62) and Minot State (90-54) to wrap up the regular season. They have clinched the last seven out of eight home games. They pride themselves on the defensive end of the floor as they are third in the NSIC for points given up to opponents with 60.8. They are led in scoring by Kailee Oliverson with 14.8 points per game. She is also hauling in 7.2 boards per contest.
LAST ATTACK WITH THE PACK… In their last meeting, the Peacocks defeated Northern State at home in a 63-60 effort. In the contest, Northern State started off with the 17-9 advantage after the first quarter as UIU only shot 17% in the opening ten minutes. The Peacocks pulled it together and outscored the Wolves 25-9 in the second period, raising their shooting percentage to 50% from the floor. UIU went into halftime with the 34-26 lead. 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. As UIU trailed 60-57 with 30 seconds left, they netted a jumper to cut the deficit to one point (60-59). NSU went 0-2 from the charity stripe the very next possession. The Peacocks converted a layup in traffic to put them 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.
ON THE HORIZON… The winner of this matchup will advance to the next round of the NSIC tournament. They will be facing Augustana University at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. The game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m.
