Box Score
MARSHALL, Minn.- Southwest Minnesota State led for a majority of the game's opening half, but Upper Iowa escaped with a 66-59 victory thanks to multiple second half runs from UIU and a career night from the Peacocks' leading scorer, Blair Klostermann, on Saturday night in the R/A Facility.
 
Caleigh Rodning scored a career high 21 points and also recorded her first career double-double by adding 10 rebounds in the loss. Rodning was the only Mustangs' player to reach double figures in scoring as SMSU shot just 38 percent (23-of-60) on the night. Upper Iowa's leading scorer sophomore, Blair Klostermann, had a career high 30 points.
 
SMSU produced a season high seven blocks on the defensive end of the court, but Upper Iowa grabbed 17 offensive boards. The Peacocks' 24-8 advantage in points off turnovers helped UIU sustain its lead throughout almost the entire second half.
 
After trading buckets early, the Mustangs hit 3-of-4 three pointers in just over a three and half minute stretch to build an eight point first quarter lead. SMSU would end the first with a 16-12 lead holding the Peacocks to just 33 percent shooting in the quarter.
 
Southwest Minnesota State had the first two made baskets of the second quarter forcing an Upper Iowa timeout as SMSU reached its biggest lead of eight for the second time in the first half. Upper Iowa responded with a 10-2 run in a stretch of just under three minutes, tying the game at 22-22 on a made three point attempt from Klostermann. UIU would later go on a 9-0 run and carried a 33-30 lead into the halftime break.
 
The Mustangs finished the first half going 12-of-29 (41 percent) while knocking down 4-of-8 three point attempts.
 
SMSU finished with 15 first half bench points as Caleigh Rodning led the Mustangs in scoring in the first half with 12 points. Taylor Holicky added nine points while also grabbing 10 rebounds in the first two quarters.
 
After SMSU regained the lead briefly in the third quarter, the Peacocks hit two layups and a three pointer to take a six point lead at 6:48 to play in the third.  The two teams traded punches for a majority of the quarter but Upper Iowa closed the third and opened the fourth quarter with an 11-3 run to give the Peacocks a 56-44 lead, their largest lead of the game.
 
SMSU responded to the Peacocks' run with six unanswered points to cut into the lead. The Mustangs went on a 7-2 run in just under five minutes to get back within two points. Southwest Minnesota State hit three free throws and two layups to make the score 61-59 with just 1:32 to play in the game but SMSU were unable to make enough plays down the stretch. UIU found a layup and hit free throws in the final minute to salt away the 66-59 road victory.
 
The Mustangs will return to action next weekend when the hit the road to play Minnesota Crookston on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a game the next day at Bemidji State at 4 p.m.