Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team tallied its first NSIC win of the season,  as it took down the Upper Iowa Peacocks, 75-54, on Friday evening at Taylor Center. Junior Britney Scherber [Bloomington, Minn.] led the way for the Mavericks, as she posted a game-high 22 points in the win, including 17 first half points. 

With the win, MSU's improves its overall record to 2-5 and 1-2 in NSIC play.

MSU set the tone early in the game as it went on a 15-2 run within the first five minutes of action. Senior McKenzie Hoelmenn [Lakeville, Minn.] and Scherber helped spark the run as they recorded seven points and six points, respectively, already at that point. The Mavericks kept their comfortable lead heading into the second quarter with a 22-10 lead after the first quarter.

To begin the second quarter, the Peacocks began with a run of their own as they chipped away at the Mavericks double-digit lead with an 8-2 run. MSU's lead dwindled to 24-20 with 8:09 left before halftime. For the next four minutes of game action, MSU answered right back with 10-0 run to give the Mavericks their largest lead of the first half at 14, 34-20 with 4:24 left in the second quarter.  At halftime, MSU led over UIU, 36-28.

At the half, MSU shot 45% from the field and held UIU to a 29% field-goal percentage in the first half. The Mavericks outrebounded the Peacocks 26-18 and outscored UIU 14-8 in the paint. 

Scherber paced the Maverick offense in the first half with 17 points and shot 6-of-8 from the field. Hoelmenn added nine points and five boards, while sophomore Claire Ziegler [Mankato, Minn.] tallied four points and three rebounds of her own.  

Similar to the first quarter, MSU began the third quarter on a 15-3 run to extend its lead to 51-31 over the UIU with 4:43 left in the quarter. Jump starting the run for the Mavericks was sophomore Madison Lee [Coon Rapids, Minn.] as she hit two straight three-pointers to get things rolling. At the end of third quarter the Mavericks led 58-39 over the Peacocks heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Mavericks kept things rolling and went on to win the game, 75-54, over the Peacocks.

MSU finished with a 46% field-goal percentage and converted on six three-pointers in the contest.  The Mavericks were also able to force 18 Peacocks turnovers in the game, which turned into 19 points off turnovers for the Purple and Gold.

Scherber ended the night with 22 points and 8-of-12 from the field, while Hoelmenn tallied her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Ziegler added 10 points and seven rebounds, as junior Karina Schroeder [Lake Crystal, Minn.] chipped in with six points, three blocks and game-high 12 rebounds.  Sophomore Claire Jordan [Green Bay, Wis.] also added nine points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Mavericks.
 
The Mavericks will continue their weekend home stand with #11 Winona State on Saturday. Game time is set for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off at Taylor Center.