FAYETTE, Iowa --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team saw several players make difference in the scoring column Saturday evening as the Mavericks defeated Upper Iowa 88-83 on the road.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 18-8, including a 13-7 NSIC record. With the loss, UIU falls to 14-15, including a 9-10 conference record. The Mavericks also clinched home court advantage for the first round of the NSIC Tournament scheduled for Feb. 24.

A total of five Mavericks reached double-digits in the scoring column against the Peacocks, with sophomore TJ Lake leading MSU with 18 points. Lake finished his night shooting 6-of-10 from the field, to go with a 5-of-6 showing from the foul line.

Senior Jalen Pendleton notched 17 points and seven rebounds for the Mavericks as he finished his night with an 8-of-9 performance from the line, while freshman Joey Witthus finished tallied 12 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Cole Harper added 14 points and five rebounds as well, while junior Jon Fuqua notched 11 points and six boards.

As a team, MSU shot 49.2% from the field, to go along with a 26-of-32 (.813) showing from the free throw line. The Mavericks also hauled in 36 rebounds and passed out nine assists.

Carson Parker led the Peacock offense with 19 points, while Jimmy Roth notched 16 points and seven rebounds. As a team, UIU shot 51.5% from the field, but it struggled at the line as it connected on 12-of-25 (.462) free throw opportunities.

The first half saw MSU control the pace of the game through the majority of the opening 20 minutes. The Mavericks led by as many as 14 points in the opening stanza as they held the lead for a total of 17 minutes. MSU would eventually take at 43-33 lead into the locker room, which included a jumper from Lake in the final seconds of the half.

The Mavericks held the lead throughout the entire second half, but the Peacocks were able to get back within a basket on several occasions. A jumper from Josh Weeber brought UIU within two at 54-52 with 13:04 to go in the game, but the Mavericks would quickly rebuild their double-digit lead.

With 4:33 left, the Mavericks led by 10 at 79-69, but the Peacocks would not go quietly as they pulled within three points of the Mavericks twice. UIU trailed 86-83 with 18 second remaining, but Lake hit both of his free throw opportunities with nine seconds left to ice the 88-83 win for MSU.

Minnesota State returns home for it final homestand of the regular season on Friday as it plays host to Sioux Falls. The opening tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

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