Box Score FAYETTE, Iowa --- #25 Minnesota State opened up a 20-1 lead in the first five minutes of the contest and never looked back as it improved to 13-5 overall and 10-4 on the circuit with an 87-61 win over Upper Iowa.

The Mavericks raced out to a quick 18-0 lead fueled by senior Ali Wilkinson (Blue Mounds, Wis.), who netted 12 of the first 18 MSU points. It took nearly eight minutes for the Peacocks to connect on their first field goal of the contest, bringing the score to 27-4 with 12:08 remaining in the first frame.

UIU was able to find some offensive rhythm, cutting the MSU deficit to 18, 35-17 with 6:30 to play in the first, but junior Ashley Olson (Blue Earth, Minn.) scored the Mavericks' final eight points of the opening half, giving MSU a 48-26 lead going into intermission.

Wilkinson had a monster first half, netting 15 points and collecting seven rebounds. Olson finished the first half with eight points. As a unit, MSU connected on 50% (17-34) of its shots from the field and 36% (5-14) from deep. The Maverick defense forced 11 first half Peacock turnovers and held UIU to a 37% (10-27) showing from the field and 20% (1-5) from behind the arc.

The Peacocks scored the first bucket of the second half, on a 12-2 run opening up a 60-30 lead with 15:00 remaining in the contest. UIU was finally able to cut the deficit to less than 30 in the final four minutes of the contest, but the MSU offensive attack proved too strong as it rolled to an 87-61 victory.

Wilkinson's night was cut short as she fouled out, but not before she collected her eighth double-double of the season and 33rd of her career, finishing with 27 points and 10 rebounds on a 10-12 showing from the field, including a 3-4 effort from behind the arc.

Olson finished the contest with 11 points on a 3-of-3 showing from the field including a perfect 2-of-2 from behind the arc and freshman Britney Scherber (Bloomington, Minn.) added 10 points.

As a unit, the Mavericks connect 47% (28-60) of their shots from the field, 35% (6-17) from behind the arc and 74% (25-34) from the charity stripe. UIU connected on 39% (20-51) of its shots from the field, 21% (3-14) from deep and 78% (18-23) from the free throw line while committing 23 turnovers.

MSU returns to Taylor Center for a four-game home stand as it begins things against the University of Mary on Friday, opening tip is slated for 6 p.m.

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