MANKATO, Minn. --- It proved to be a dramatic regular season home finale in Taylor Center Saturday evening, but the Minnesota State men's basketball team got several key contributions from multiple players to top Upper Iowa in overtime 88-87.

With the win, the Mavericks improved to 20-6 on the season, including a 15-5 NSIC record. With the loss, the Peacocks fall to 15-11, including an 11-9 league record.

Minnesota State saw a pair of players post double-doubles, including senior Assem Marei and sophomore Mike Busack. Marei, who led all scorers with 24 points, also hauled in a game-high 15 rebounds from his 27th career double-double, while Busack notched 15 points and 13 rebounds for his second career double-double.

Senior Zach Monaghan added 21 points and eight assists on the evening, while junior Lucas Brown added 10 points off the bench as he connected on all three of his shots from the field. Senior Connor Miller notched eight points, six rebounds and six assists as well.

After heading into the locker room trailing 36-30. The Minnesota State men's basketball team found itself trailing 67-57 with 5:41 to go in the game. MSU was able to cut into the 10-point deficit and managed to pull within one of the Peacocks at 72-71 with 1:29 remaining.

After UIU's Josh Weeber made 1-of-2 shots from the line, the Mavericks grabbed the defensive rebound trailing 77-74. With three seconds left, Miller missed the game-tying three point shot, but he would get a second chance at it as freshman TJ Lake grabbed the offensive rebound and passed it back to Miller who drained game-tying three to force overtime.  

Upper Iowa gained the first lead in overtime as Jace Hanna nailed a shot from behind the arc, but MSU would notch seven straight points, including three from Busack and Miller.  MSU and UIU exchange a pair of baskets before Hanna notched another three to pull within one of the Mavericks at 88-87 with 1:02 to go in overtime.

MSU would miss its next shot and Upper Iowa was able to grab the rebound. UIU would have 30 seconds to work with but Miller stole the ball away from UIU's Jimmy Roth to secure the 88-87 win.

As a team, MSU hauled in 48 rebounds and passed out 15 assists. The Mavericks shot 44.8% from the field, including a 3-of-4 (.750) showing in the extra session.

Upper Iowa saw six players record 10 points or more in the game, including Grant Lang, who posted a team-leading 16 points, Roth added 12 points and nine rebounds as well.

MSU wraps up its regular season on the road next weekend as it takes part in a pair of games beginning Friday against the University of Sioux Falls. The opening tip is scheduled for 8 p.m.
 
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