MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team (7-3, 4-1 NSIC) lost a tight game against the Upper Iowa Peacocks (5-5, 2-3 NSIC) 80-74 Saturday night at Taylor Center.

The Mavericks opened the action with a 7-0 run fueled as much by defensive pressure as well-executed offense.  The Peacocks responded to the early run from Minnesota State, and after drilling a three-point shot from the right side of the arc, made the score to 21-20 Mavericks.

Minnesota State continued to get good looks from the three-point line that just weren't't finding the bottom of the net, but they still maintained a 27-24 lead with 3:29 to go in the first half and coming out of the media timeout, Carlos Anderson took the defender to the basket and drained a layup through contact.

Down two, with a minute left in the half, Upper Iowa's Kyle Haber got fouled on a three-point try and hit all three to give the Peacocks their first lead of the game at 32-31.  Cameron Kirksey responded for the Mavericks, draining a three-pointer to end the half and re-taking the lead 34-32.

In the first half the Mavericks out-shot the Peacocks from the floor 42.4% to 35.5% and out-rebounded them 22-18.  The Three-point shot is what kept Upper Iowa in the half as they made 6-17 compared to 3-17 for Minnesota State.  Kirksey led all scorers in the half with 16 points and added six rebounds, two steals, and a block.  Juwan McCloud was the second leading scorer for the Mavericks with nine points on 4-5 shooting. 

Coming out of halftime, the three-point line continued to be a boon for the Peacocks as they hit three of them early, en route to a 47-38 lead.  The Mavericks responded as Tre Baumgardner drove the lane, got fouled, and made his free throws and on the next possession drove to the basket making the shot and getting fouled in the process.  After knocking down the free throw Minnesota State got the ball back on a traveling violation and Anderson made a layup to put the Mavericks down by only two points.  Moments later Quincy Anderson got to the rim and laid the ball in to give Minnesota State the lead, 52-51. 

In response to the Maverick run Upper Iowa found success from deep once more, taking the lead and pushing it to 65-59 with 6:05 to go.  Coming out of the timeout, McCloud drilled a ten-foot jumper and the Peacocks committed a traveling violation.  With no change on the scoreboard, Jamal Nixon fought through contact to score close, cutting the Upper Iowa lead to two-points before the Peacocks responded with a 7-0 run.  This forced the Mavericks to foul to extend the game and despite cutting into the lead, they ultimately lost the game 80-74. 

Minnesota State out-rebounded Upper Iowa 45-37 and out-scored the Peacocks bench 21-12, but the difference ultimately came from the three-point line where Upper Iowa made 15 to the Mavericks eight. 

Kirksey finished the game with 21 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, while McCloud finished with 17 points.  Carlos Anderson added 11 points and six rebounds in the game as well.

Tuesday Dec. 18, the Mavericks will host Norther Central University at 6:00 p.m. before taking a short winter break.