Box Score FAYETTE, Iowa --- The No. 14 Minnesota State men's basketball team bounced back Saturday evening as it claimed its 17th win of the season with a 95-78 win over Upper Iowa.

With the win, the Mavericks improved to 17-4 on the season, including an 11-3 mark in NSIC action. With the loss, the Peacocks fall to 8-12, including a 6-8 mark in conference action.

Senior Gage Wooten finished one rebound shy of his third career double-double as he tallied 25 points and nine rebounds to pace the Mavericks. His 25 points matched his career-high as he connected on 10-of-12 shots from the field.

Junior Assem Marei followed close behind with 20 points and eight rebounds. Junior Zach Monaghan added 16 points and nine assists, while senior Tanner Adler dropped in 12 points.

As a team, the Mavericks shot 58.3% from the field, including a 7-of-16 (.438) showing from beyond the arc. MSU also passed out 22 assists and outrebounded the Peacocks 42-26.

Joey Woods led the Peacock offense with 21 points, while Bo Pagel tallied 16 points.

The first half featured some back and forth action early on as the lead changed hands six times. With 10:10 left in the opening frame both teams were knotted up at 17. MSU would then finish the second half on a 29-14 run to take a 46-31 lead into halftime.

Wooten led all scorers with 18 points and six rebounds in the first half. Marei added 12 points as well.

As a team, MSU shot 52.9% (18-of-34) from the field in the first half. It also outrebounded Upper Iowa 25-14. The Mavericks also passed out 12 first-half assists and forced eight Upper Iowa turnovers.

Joey Woods paced the Peacock offense with 12 points in the first half. As a team, UIU shot 38.2% (13-of-34) from the field.  

The Mavericks maintained at least a 12-point lead over the Peacocks throughout the entire second half as they outscored UIU 49-47 in the second half, en route to a 95-78 win.

MSU returns home for a four-game homestand beginning Friday as it hosts the University of Mary. The opening tip is set for 8 p.m.

                                                                    -30-