FAYETTE, Iowa --- Sophomore forward Taylor Drost matched a career-best 14 points and eight rebounds to guide Minnesota State past Upper Iowa, 75-62, Saturday evening at Dorman Gymnasium. 

Both teams went back and forth in the opening frame which featured four ties and four lead changes. Minnesota State (2-7, 1-3 NSIC) stole the early 5-2 edge as Drost netted an open jumper with 7:45 on the clock. Upper Iowa (2-9, 0-5 NSIC) answered capturing its first lead of the night, 7-5, after a 5-0 run. Senior Logan Anderson halted the run driving past Peacock defenders for a layup to lock the score at 7-7 at the 4:17 mark. Minnesota State led after the opening quarter, 13-12. 

Freshman Tayla Stuttley got things going on the Mavericks first possession in the second frame draining a triple from the corner to make the score 16-12. Minnesota State then stretched its lead up to nine, 26-17, as Drost connected on a jumper with 5:12 on the clock. The Mavericks did not let up building their largest lead of the half, 34-23, after a pair of Drost free throws. Upper Iowa battled back with a 5-1 run to close the half including a buzzer beating triple from Blair Klostermann to make the score 34-28 at the intermission. 

Drost fueled the Mavericks with 10 points and seven rebounds in the first half. Junior Monica Muth also contributed seven points and three rebounds. Additionally, Minnesota State held the advantage in rebounds, 24-14.

The Peacocks fought back in the third quarter with a 6-2 run to pull within four, 42-38, at the 5:06 mark. Sophomore Taylor Klug came off the bench following a timeout to deliver a critical triple and swing momentum back to the Mavericks, 45-38. Minnesota State then stretched its lead back into double digits after junior Ashley Reed went coast to coast for a layup, 51-40, with 1:19 to play in the quarter. The Mavericks held a 52-40 advantage after three quarters of play. 

Minnesota State began to put the game out reach with a fast 7-3 run to begin the fourth quarter. The run was highlighted by senior Claire Jordan's three pointer which pushed the Mavericks lead to 16, 59-43, with 7:21 remaining. Minnesota State did not let off the gas creating its largest lead of the night, 61-45, as freshman Brooke Tonsfeldt found Jordan for a jumper with 5:53 remaining. The Mavericks went on to close out the Peacocks and snap a three-game losing skid, 75-62. 

As a team, Minnesota State held the edge in rebounds (46-37) and assists (11-7). The Mavericks bench posted a season-high 32 points in comparison to the Peacocks 24. 

Drost set the standard for Minnesota State matching a career-best 14 points to go along with a career-high eight rebounds. She also added two assists and one block to her stat line. Jordan reached double figures in scoring for the third time this season with 14 points. Freshman Kirstin Klitzke matched a season-best 10 points and chipped in six rebounds to round out the top Maverick performers. 

Minnesota State returns to Taylor Center on Dec. 15 to take on Concordia-St. Paul. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.