The Peacocks have closed out the regular season with a thrilling 81-80 victory over the Southwest Baptist Bearcats.

The Peacocks jumped to a 6-0 lead to start the game as Mia Huberty made a three-point shot and added a pair of free throws. She converted on her second three pointer at the 3:20 mark and Brooke Evenson would add consecutive layups to boost the UIU lead to 15-10. Alaina Brenning drove to the hoop and made a layup with five seconds remaining, to conclude a first quarter where she snagged four rebounds and recorded a steal.

With a 17-12 lead to start the second quarter, both teams would exchange baskets with each team scoring on three possessions in a row. Amelia Valentino swished a three pointer to extend the Peacock lead to 26-19 and Kayla Bohr would follow that up by making both of her free throws. Katie Tornstrom pulled up for a turn around jumper and Brenning would once again score the final basket of the quarter for Upper Iowa as they entered the locker room up 34-26. The Peacocks never trailed in the first half of action.

Southwest Baptist cut the lead to three to start the second half, before Valentino converted her second three pointer of the game and Huberty added a turn around jump shot. Following a Bearcat basket from beyond the arc, Valentino cashed a mid-range jumper to make it a 42-35 game. Bohr would later add an and-one basket on a step through move in the post. Tornstrom was able to get to the line on great ball movement by the Peacocks where she made both free throws and she added an assist on a backdoor cut by Brenning. SBU was able to record six offensive rebounds in the third quarter, which propelled them back into the game as they cut Upper Iowa's lead to one.

The Bearcats took the lead on an and one basket to start the fourth, before Evenson quickly responded with a made three pointer. Bohr added a midrange jumper and a layup by SBU would tie the game at 60. They would follow that up with multiple three pointers and a midrange jump shot gave Southwest Baptist a 74-66 lead at the 2:30 mark. Huberty got to the line where she made both her free throws and Alaina Brenning came up clutch with a bigtime three pointer to cut the lead to 75-71. On the very next possession, Valentino stole the ball on the inbounds pass, and she made an and one fastbreak layup with 28 seconds remaining. With the Peacocks forced to foul, SBU made both of their free throws to extend their lead to three. Evenson was fouled on a layup attempt where she made both her shots at the charity stripe. Following a Bearcat miss, Huberty cut to the hoop where she made a game-tying layup with six seconds remaining. SBU drew a foul to get to the line, making both free throws with four seconds remaining. With no timeouts and the Peacocks having to go the length of the court, Huberty threw a cross court pass to Evenson in the corner, who pulled up right before time expired, and swished the three to give Upper Iowa an 81-80 victory!

Mia Huberty scored 27 points on incredible shooting splits (9-13 FG, 2-3 3PT, 7-9 FT). She put together a career-high nine rebound performance and was on the floor for all 40 minutes.

Kayla Bohr finished with 13 points while making all five of her free throw attempts. She added three rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Brooke Evenson scored 12 points on 4-11 shooting, while also making the biggest shot of the Peacocks season. She recorded 11 rebounds, giving her eight double doubles on the year and blocked two shots.

Alaina Brenning recorded a career-high 11 points on 5-8 shooting. She added five rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.

Amelia Valentino also scored 11 points, on 4-8 shooting, finishing with two assists and a steal.

Katie Tornstrom picked up seven points on 2-6 shooting and she hauled in ten rebounds and dished out three assists.

Prior to today's matchup, the Peacocks were the #7-seed in the GLVC Point Rating System and they are very likely be one of the top eight teams that qualify for the playoffs, following their victory. The GLVC Tournament will start on Thursday, Mar. 7 with the Championship being held on Sunday, Mar. 10.