Box Score Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State Men's basketball team lost a hard-fought battle 89-81 against the Upper Iowa Peacocks Friday night at Taylor Center. 
 
With the loss, the Mavericks fall to 14-13 (12-9 NSIC), while the Peacocks improve to 18-9 (15-6 NSIC). 
 
The Peacocks took advantage of a pair of early three-pointers to take a 10-6 lead with 14:44 to go in the half.  The Mavericks responded in the next several minutes with a 14-4 run to take their first lead of the game. 

Minnesota State converted a series of dunks from Cameron Kirksey and Kelby Kramer as the team extended its lead over Upper Iowa to 33-24 with five minutes to go in the half.  The Mavericks continued to outpace the Peacocks in the final minutes of the half, taking a 43-31 lead into the break.

Kirksey led the Mavericks in first half scoring with 13 points while Corvon Seales contributed 10 points.  As a team Minnesota State won the rebound battle 25-11 while shooting 58.6% from the field. 

Upper Iowa once cut into the Minnesota State lead in the opening minutes of the second half after a pair three pointers made the Maverick lead 53-44 with 14:59 to go.  The three-point line continued to be all Peacocks as they not only re-claimed the lead, the pushed it to 62-56 over the Mavericks with 10 minutes to go.  

The run continued for Upper Iowa as they extended their lead to as many as 13 points before a three pointer from Kirskey cut the Peacock lead down to 76-70 with 5:12 to go in regulation.  After a three-pointer from Kirksey cut the Upper Iowa lead to 80-75, the Peacocks made another three of their own with 2:37 to go. 

A pair of free throws from the Peacocks gave them an 85-77 lead with 1:12 to go before the Mavericks responded with a two of their own from Kevin Kevin Krieger with 1:05 to go.  The deficit proved too much to overcome and Upper Iowa sealed the 89-81 victory at the free throw line.

Kirksey finished with a game high 29 points and 13 rebounds while Ryland Holt added a double-double of his own with 20 points and 11 rebounds.  As a team, the Mavericks shot 50.0% from the field and outrebounded the Peacocks 44-26, but lost the turnover battle 23-7 while allowing 14-28 shooting from beyond the arc. 
 
The Mavericks will host the Bemidji State Beavers tomorrow afternoon with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.