Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State University women's basketball cruised to a 103-47 win over the Upper Iowa Peacocks Friday night at Taylor Center. With the win the Mavericks improve to 7-5 (6-4 NSIC) while the Peacocks fall to 1-12 (0-11 NSIC).

The Maverick pressure defense set the tempo in the early going, forcing turnovers which quickly developed into offensive opportunities as they caused five turnovers leading to a Peacocks timeout with MSU leading 10-5 just over two minutes into the game. Minnesota State finished the quarter with a 9-4 run and led Upper Iowa 19-9 at end the quarter. 

The Maverick pressure continued in the second quarter, with a Peacocks forced to use another timeout after a Joey Batt steal and transition bucket pushed the lead to 27-11.

Minnesota State ended the half with an 18-8 run and their defense leading to offense, causing 18 turnovers and scoring 21 points off of them. Maddy Olson lead the Mavericks offense at the half with 10 points and Rylee Menster finished the half with 9 points and 3 rebounds. 

As a team, Minnesota State shot 35.9% from the field and 37.5% (6-19) from three compared to 29.2% from the field and 0% (0-8) from three for the Peacocks. 

The third quarter started back and forth before the Mavericks took control and a 58-26 lead in the third quarter at the media timeout.  Minnesota State was able to continue to control the pace of the game down the stretch and was able get all fifteen members of the team into the action and on the scoreboard.

The Maverick defense caused a total of 34 turnovers for the Peacocks as Olson tied her career high and led the way with a game high 20 points and 5 steals while Rachel Shumski finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds for the Mavericks.   

As a team, the Minnesota State bench scored 65 of the teams 103 points with Menster and Shea Fuller both scoring 11-points and freshman Ali Hunstad going a perfect 3-3 from behind the arc for nine points.

The Mavericks finished the game shooting 41.9% from the field and 45.2% from three-point range.

Minnesota State returns to action tomorrow afternoon as they take on the Peacocks once again with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m.