FAYETTE, Iowa --- The #11 Minnesota State men's basketball team claimed its first NSIC road victory of the season Friday evening as it defeated the Upper Iowa Peacocks 89-78.
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 8-1 on the season, including an unblemished 3-0 record in NSIC play. With the loss, the Peacocks fall to 6-3, with a 2-2 league record.
The first half saw a total of nine lead changes as neither team led by more than six points through the first 20 minutes of the contest. With 7:55 left to go in the first half, the Mavericks held a six-point lead at 33-27, but the Peacocks would close out the final eight minutes of the first half on a 16-8 run to take a 43-41 lead into the locker room.
Senior
Assem Marei led all scorers in the first half with 12 points. Seniors
Connor Miller and
Zach Romashko each posted eight points in the first half, while sophomore
Mike Busack brought down six rebounds.
As a team, MSU connected on 16-of-32 (.500) shots from the field, to go along with a perfect 6-of-6 showing from the line in the first half.
Grant Lang led the Peacock offense in the first half with 10 points.
The second half saw some more back and forth action early as the lead changed hands five times through the first 10 minutes of the half. A layup by Miller at the 9:56 mark gave the Mavericks a 66-65 lead. MSU would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way as it outscored the Peacocks 23-13 through the final 9:56 of the game, en route to an 89-78 victory.
Miller, who finished with a career-high 30 points, tallied 22 points in the second half, including a 6-of-8 showing from the field and a 9-of-10 performance from the line the second session.
Senior
Zach Monaghan recorded his first double-double of the season, and 10th of his career, as he tallied 12 points and 12 assists. Marei added 18 points and six rebounds, while freshman
Alex Herink and Romashko each chipped in with 11 points. Busack notched a game-high 11 rebounds.
As a unit, MSU shot 48.4% from the field and connected on 21-of-27 (.778) opportunities from the charity stripe. The Mavericks also brought down 40 rebounds and outscored UIU 48-28 in the paint.
Josh Weeber led the Peacocks with 14 points.
The Mavericks continue their road trip on Saturday as they take on the Winona State Warriors. The opening tip is set for 6 p.m.
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