Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State women's basketball team earned an 71-49 win against the Upper Iowa Peacocks Friday night at Taylor Center. 
 
With the win, the Mavericks improve to 15-10 (12-9 NSIC), while the Peacocks drop to 3-24 (2-19 NSIC).  
 
The defensive pressure from both teams bothered the teams in the first quarter.  After Maddy Olson converted a free throw to cut the Peacock lead to 16-12, Upper Iowa wasn't able to get a shot off before the quarter came to an end. 

Minnesota State came out firing in the second quarter, opening with a 12-2 run which forced the Peacocks to take a timeout.  The Mavericks ended up finishing the quarter with a 29-11 scoring edge, buoyed by three straight three-pointers from Tayla Stuttley, and took a 41-27 lead into the break.

At the half, Stuttley led the way with 14 points while Kristi Fett added nine of her own.  As a team the Mavericks held forced the Peacocks into 16 compared turnovers without committing any of their own.

The first five minutes of the second half saw the Mavericks grow their lead to 49-33 over the Peacocks, with the defensive pressure forcing more mistakes from Upper Iowa.  Minnesota State extended its lead to as many as 25 points down the stretch, coming away with the comfortable 71-49 victory.

Stuttley finished the game with 16 points while Rachel Shumski added 11 and Taylor Drost added nine.  As a team, the Mavericks won the turnover battle 31-7
 
The Mavericks will host the Bemidji State Beavers tomorrow afternoon with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m.