WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's basketball team stepped onto the McCown Gymnasium floor for its first official home game and conference opener Saturday afternoon and came away with a convincing 74-48 victory over Upper Iowa University. The teams combined for 39 fouls in the hard-fought battle.

Despite being outshoot from beyond the arc in the game, WSU connected on six three-balls in the second half, coupled with 55 percent shooting from the floor to secure the victory over the Peacocks. 

The two teams jostled for control in the opening quarter, trading the lead four times. Allie Pickrain's three-pointer midway through the first sparked an 8-0 run by the Warriors to give them a sizable lead to end the first. 

The Warriors took advantage of the Peacocks miscues, turning Upper Iowa's 12 turnovers in the first half into 10 points. The Warriors would finish the night with 19 total points off 23 Peacock turnovers. 

WSU held a small four-point lead at the break, 28-22, but shook the scoring slump in the second half outscoring the Peacocks 46-24 in the final two frames. Kayla Schaefer got the Warriors started in the second half, knocking down a three to open the scoring. Pickrain then broke out, adding eight points of her own in the third quarter alone. 

Winona State utilized the size of Rachel Novotny underneath the basket, feeding the senior every chance they got. Novotny finished with a season-high 15 points while adding six boards. 

Pickrain (13) and Schaefer (10) rounded out the Warriors in double figures, while Emma Fee and Taylor Hustad each added eight points of their own. Hustad finished with a team-high seven rebounds. 

Winona State dominated the offensive boards, outscoring the Peacocks on second-chance opportunities, 17-7. 

The Warriors improve to 3-2 (1-0 NSIC) with the victory while Upper Iowa falls to 3-5 (0-1 NSIC) on the season.

Winona State is back at home next weekend as the Warriors host Augustana University on Friday night and Wayne State College Saturday.