FAYETTE, Iowa --- It came down to the final second Friday evening, but a three pointer from junior Kevin Krieger proved to be the difference as Minnesota State defeated Upper Iowa 77-75.

With the win, MSU improves to 19-8 on the season, including a 14-7 NSIC record. With the loss, UIU drops to 6-21, including a 3-18 conference record. The Mavericks now own an 11-2 record in games played away from Taylor Center this season.

The first half proved to be a back and forth affair as neither team led by more than five points in the opening 20 minutes as Upper Iowa carried a 42-40 lead into halftime. 

With just under 10 minutes to play in the first half, Upper Iowa held a one point lead at 22-21, but MSU would go on a 13-7 run over the next five minutes to go up by five at 34-29 with 5:05 to go in the half. Five Mavericks reached the scoring column during MSU's 13-7 run, including junior Juwan McCloud who tallied four points.

The Peacocks were able to respond with a run of their own during the final five minutes of the first half as they outscored the Mavericks 13-6 to take a 42-40 lead into the locker room. Junior Cameron Kirksey netted MSU's final five points of the half, including a layup as time expired.

Krieger led the Maverick offense in the first half with 11 points, while Kirksey tallied 10 points and five rebounds. Joe Smoldt led all scorers in the first half with 19 points.

Both teams shot better than 50% from the field in the opening stanza and were knotted up in rebounds with 14 a piece. Both benches also tallied 15 points in the first half as well. 

The Peacocks led throughout the majority of the second half as they led by as many as 10 points. UIU led 65-55 with 9:20 remaining in the game, but the Mavericks managed to claw their way back as they knotted up the score at 72-72 with 1:24 left after a pair of free throws from Krieger.

MSU would take its first lead of the half less than 30 seconds later as sophomore Jamal Nixon hit a pair of free throws that put the Mavericks up 74-73. Upper Iowa would miss a couple of go ahead shots following Nixon's free throws, but Smoldt finally connected on a jumper with seven seconds left to put Upper Iowa 75-74.

With time winding down, sophomore Karson Arrenholz passed the ball up to Krieger who then hit what turned out to be the game winning three with 0.3 seconds left to give the Mavericks the 77-75 win.

Both Krieger and Kirksey netted 22 points each to lead the Maverick offense. Kirksey also hauled in 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Freshman Tre Baumgardner added 10 points off the bench as well.

As a team, MSU shot 44.4% from the field, including a 10-of-27 (.370) performance from three point range. The Mavericks also tallied 17 points on the fast break.

Smoldt led all scorers with 26 points, while Kyle Haber tallied 13 points and seven rebounds. As a team, Upper Iowa shot 48.4% from the field, including a 12-of-27 (.444) showing from three point range.

Minnesota State wraps up its regular season schedule on Saturday as it travels to Winona State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.


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