MANKATO, Minn. --- Three Mavericks reached double figures in scoring to push the Minnesota State women's basketball team past Upper Iowa, 68-43, Friday evening at Taylor Center.

In the opening moments of the game the Mavericks (9-16, 7-12 NSIC) scored on back-to-back turnovers to take a 14-7 advantage as freshman Kirstin Klitzke buried a three with 4:52 remaining in the first quarter. Coming out of the media timeout, Minnesota State continued to take advantage of turnovers and proceeded on a 13-0 run with seven points from sophomore Taylor Klug to stretch its lead into double digits, 27-7, at the end of the first frame.

Points became a premium in the second quarter as both teams scored a combined 19 points. However, the Mavericks managed to hold a 33-13 edge with 3:06 remaining in the half after Klug connected on a jumper. In the closing seconds of the second quarter, Klitzke hit a layup that gave Minnesota State a 38-15 halftime lead. 

As a team, the Mavericks shot 43.8% compared to 25.0% for the Peacocks (2-23, 0-19 NSIC), and Minnesota State stole the ball 11 times and scored 18 points off turnovers. Klug led all scorers with 12 points in the half and Klitzke added nine. 

Upper Iowa came out in the second half shooting the ball from deep and went on a 12-6 run to cut the Mavericks edge to 44-27 with 4:55 left in the third quarter.  Senior Claire Jordan halted the Peacock hot streak draining a pair of free throws. Defense continued to dominate in the quarter as Minnesota State took a 48-32 lead into the final period. 

Upper Iowa continued to battle back in the fourth quarter cutting the deficit down to 12, 50-38, with 8:24 remaining. Minnesota State closed the game with a dominant 18-5 run highlighted by five points from Klitzke and four from freshman Brooke Tonsfeldt. Minnesota State went on to pick up the 68-43 win.

As a team, the Mavericks finished the game shooting 36.7% from the field compared the Peacocks 34.0%. Minnesota State also forced 31 turnovers in the game, scoring 29 points off of them.

Jordan paced Minnesota State with a game-high 17 points and career-best nine rebounds. Klug recorded 14 points and matched a career-high four steals, while Klitzke also reached double figures with 14 points. Tonsfeldt rounded out the top performers with five points and game-high five steals.  

Minnesota State returns to action tomorrow hosting Winona State on Senior Day. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.