The Peacocks picked up another big-time victory to improve their playoff chances, as they defeated the Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars by a score of 77-53.
 
The first quarter was very evenly matched as both teams traded baskets throughout the entire period. Mia Huberty opened the game by swishing a three pointer, but the Prairie Stars responded with a three of their own. They were able to tie the game at 3, 5, 7 and 9-points apiece, before Helen Staley would put them ahead with a tough bucket in the paint. She followed that up by recording a steal and her assist would lead to an Amelia Valentino fast break layup. Huberty knocked down a jumper with 30 seconds remaining, and Illinois Springfield closed out the quarter with a shot from beyond the arc to take a 17-15 lead.
 
Huberty matched UIS' three pointer atop the second quarter and Kayla Bohr added a layup on an assist from Huberty. The Peacocks thrived on the defensive end in the quarter, as they recorded a steal on three possessions in a row. A steal by Huberty led to Ava Privet knocking down a fastbreak three pointer from the elbow, and Staley recorded a steal and full-court assist to Bohr for a layup to add to UIU's lead. Privet would score another three pointer, before cashing her third shot from beyond the arc in the quarter to extend the Peacock lead to 35-26.
 
Bohr scored on consecutive layups early in the third to help put the Peacocks up by 13. Following an and one layup by the Prairie Stars, Upper Iowa scored on four possessions in a row, highlighted by Anna Soler driving to the hoop for a layup before swishing a three pointer from the elbow. Lindsey Davis would add a three pointer of her own and a Huberty layup would give UIU a 56-41 lead at the end of the third.
 
Bohr opened the fourth by knocking down a shot from beyond the arc, and Huberty added to the lead by scoring on an and one layup. Huberty would then record three jumpers in the paint in a row and another and one layup, this time by Bohr would help seal the 77-53 Peacock victory.
 
The Peacocks made over 50% of their shots for the third time this season, as they shot 31-61 (50.8%) from the floor. They converted 87.5% (7-8) of their free throws to Illinois Springfield's 60.0% (9-15) while recording 24 assists to the Prairie Stars' five.
 
Mia Huberty put together her most efficient game of the season as she scored a game-high 24 points on 10-11 shooting while going a perfect 2-2 from the three-point line. She added two rebounds, five assists and one steal.
 
Kayla Bohr recorded 16 points on 7-16 shooting from the floor. She hauled in five rebounds and added one assist.
 
Ava Privet and Lindsey Davis each scored nine points with Privet shooting 3-7 from beyond the arc, while Davis shot 3-9 from the field.
 
Helen Staley put up six points on 3-4 shooting. She had a plethora of team-highs as she grabbed eight rebounds, dished out six assists and recorded three steals.
 
Anna Soler added seven points on 2-4 shooting while converting both of her free throw attempts. She recorded five rebounds and tied Staley for most assists in the game with six.
 
With the victory, Upper Iowa improves to seventh in the GLVC standings where they rank one spot above Truman State and two spots above upcoming opponent, McKendree.

The Peacocks will host McKendree on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. during their Senior Day game. Upper Iowa will honor their six seniors following the match in Abbie Riederer, Helen Staley, Mia Huberty, Kayla Bohr, Anna Soler and Avery Fried.