Box Score FAYETTE, Iowa. – The Minnesota State Mavericks put an end to its three-game losing streak Saturday night as they fought off a late comeback attempt ensuring the 76-72 victory over Upper Iowa University.
 
The first half was played back and forth as MSU controlled the largest lead when it led, 11-5, five minutes into the game.
 
Upper Iowa battled back in the first half and led by as much as four at 29-25.  However, MSU closed out the final five minutes on a 16-9 run sparked in large part to senior forward Laura Weber whose three-point play in the lane gave the Mavericks a 41-36 lead with 1:24 remaining in the half.  Weber led all Maverick scorers in the first half with 13 points while also adding six rebounds as the Mavericks led by three at the break.
 
The Peacocks would threaten the Mavericks numerous times before capturing their first lead of the second half as Whitney Kieffer’s three pointer gave Upper Iowa a 67-66 lead with six minutes remaining.
 
From this point, MSU would regain the lead on a three pointer by freshman forward #Jamie Bresnahan# before UIU was able to tie the game once again at 70.  MSU would take a two-point lead as freshman guard Aubrey Davis scored on a layup before senior guard Jennie Noreen gave the Mavericks a three-point lead making good on one of two free throws.
 
After MSU missed four-straight free throws, Kieffer scored for the Peacocks cutting the lead to just one at 73-72.  With just 14 seconds remaining MSU’s sophomore #Alli Hoefer# was able to connect on two clutch free throws as MSU extended its lead to three.
 
UIU then failed to connect on a potential game-tying three pointer with the rebound landing in Davis’s arms as she was fouled with under a second remaining.  Davis then made good on one of her two attempts giving MSU the 76-72 lead where the score would remain.
 
The Mavericks were led by Weber’s third double-double of the season as she finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.  The 23 points ties Weber’s career high as she finished 10-of-14 from the field.
 
Noreen connected on 3-of-5 attempts from long range en route to her 16-point performance while she also contributed six rebounds.  Also finishing in double figures for MSU was Bresnahan with 15 and Hoefer with 10.
 
Davis tied a season-high with eight assists as she also contributed eight points and three rebounds.
 
Jacobson led all scorers with a season-high 25 points while Kieffer finished with 24 as the Peacocks fell to 2-17 overall and 2-13 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
 
MSU finished the game shooting 50.8 percent from the field while Upper Iowa shot 38.2 percent from the floor.  The Mavericks were outrebounded, 44-38, while both teams committed 17 turnovers.
 
Minnesota State (13-6, 9-6 NSIC) is back at the Taylor Center for its next game when the Mavericks host Augustana Friday, Feb. 3.

To listen to Coach Gohl following the game, click HERE
 
Laura Weber talks about the win