Box Score FAYETTE, Iowa --- Minnesota State went into overtime for the second time this season Saturday evening but it could not overcome Upper Iowa as it fell by the score of 92-88.
With the loss, the Mavericks drop to 3-7 on the season, including a 1-3 NSIC record. With the win, the Peacocks improve to 6-5, including a 3-2 conference record. This is the second overtime loss this season for the Mavericks.
With just under nine minutes to go in the first half both teams were knotted up at 22-22. The Mavericks did lead 15-10 after a layup from sophomore
Kelby Kramer with 14:37 to go in the half, but UIU clawed its way back to tie up the score.
With 7:55 remaining in the half, both were tied at 24-24 before MSU finished the half on a 16-11 run to take a 40-35 lead into the locker room. Senior
Kevin Krieger accounted for seven of MSU's 16 points in the closing minutes of the opening stanza.
Krieger and senior
Cameron Kirksey led all scorers in the first half with 14 points each. Freshman
Ryland Holt added eight points and a team-high seven rebounds in the first half also. As a unit, MSU shot 17-of-35 (.486) from the field. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 22-12 advantage in the paint.
Jake Hilmer led the Peacock offense in the first half with eight points. As a team, UIU shot 12-of-31 (.387) from the field in the first half.
Early on in the second half, MSU jumped out to a 10-point lead at 49-39 with 17:13 to go as Krieger, Kirksey and Kramer each notched a basket. UIU was able to chip away at the MSU lead as it put together a 20-10 run to knot up the score at 59-59 with 9:41 remaining in regulation.
The lead would exchange hands five more times in the final minutes of the half, but it was Upper Iowa that held a 75-72 lead with 36 seconds to go. Kirksey then managed to get a layup to drop with 21 seconds, before Krieger connected on a free throw that was awarded to MSU via a UIU flop, that tied the score at 75-75. UIU couldn't get its last second shot to drop as the game went into overtime.
Both teams netted three baskets early on in the overtime session as the game was tied 81-81 with 2:32 remaining. UIU then scored the next four points to go up 85-81. The Peacocks would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way as they held on for the 92-88 win.
Holt finished his night with his first career double-double as he tallied 22 points and 11 rebounds, to go with five assists and three blocks. Kirksey added 31 points and seven rebounds of his own, which marks the second time in his career that he has surpassed 30 points in a game. Krieger added 22 points and six rebounds as well.
As a team, MSU shot 52.2% from the field. The Mavericks also passed out 13 assists and recorded nine blocks.
Jareese Williams led the Peacock offense with 20 points and seven rebounds. Jake Hilmer added 16 points, five rebounds and seven assists as well. As a team, UIU shot 42.9% from the field, including an 11-of-27 (.407) showing from three point range.
Minnesota State concludes its road swing this Wednesday as it takes on Concordia-St. Paul. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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