Fayette, Iowa. --- The Minnesota State women's basketball team (13-12, 10-11 NSIC) defeated the Upper Iowa Peacocks (3-26, 0-21 NSIC) 86-67 Friday night in Fayette, Iowa.

The Mavericks quickly jumped out to an 8-0 lead over the Peacocks, with Monica Muth and Kirstin Klitzke each drilling a three-pointer.  This early lead held up as Minnesota State continued to build on the opening momentum to get its lead to 25-11 at the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter the Upper Iowa offense started to find a rhythm, but the Maverick offense continued to extend its lead, taking a 44-26 lead into halftime.

Muth led Minnesota State in scoring during the first half, recording ten points to go along with three rebounds and an assist.  Klitzke finished the half with seven points and Kristi Fett added six points of her own.

As a team, Minnesota State shot 45.7% from the field while holding Upper Iowa to 32%.  The Mavericks also maintained a 21-16 advantage on the glass in the half. 

The Peacocks started the second half with an 11-4 run forcing a Maverick timeout at the 6:13 mark of the third quarter.  Upper Iowa continued to dig into the Minnesota State lead to 59-53 going into the fourth.

The Mavericks managed to extend their lead back to 12 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, going on an 18-9 run.  Minnesota State continued to extend their lead, dumping the ball into the paint to Fett for a couple baskets, and ended up claiming the 86-67 win.

Fett led all scorers with a career high 20-points while adding six rebounds and a steal while Brooke Tonsfeldt finished the night with 14-points, four rebounds, and five assists.

As a team, the Mavericks outshot the Peacocks 45.5% to 40.0% from the field and outrebounded them 41-37.  Minnesota State also recorded 35 bench points compared to 18 and stole the ball 11 times.

The Mavericks will wrap up the regular season by taking on Winona State tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.