FAYETTE, Iowa --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team was not able to gain a weekend split with Upper Iowa Saturday afternoon as the Peacocks defeated the Mavericks 94-87.

With the loss, MSU drops to 8-6 on the season, including a 7-5 NSIC record. With the win, UIU improves to 9-5 on the season, including a 7-3 conference record.

The score remained close early on as MSU held a 13-12 lead with 15:03 to go in the first half. The Peacocks then went on a 13-5 run to take a 25-18 lead with 9:59 to go in the opening stanza. The Peacocks would finish the half leading by as many as 13 points as they took a 49-36 lead into the locker room.

Sophomore Malik Willingham and freshman Brady Williams led the Mavericks in scoring in the first half with eight points each. As a team, MSU shot 46.7% from the field and held a 20-14 advantage in rebounds.

Joe Smoldt led all scorers in the first half with 15 points, while Lucas Duax tallied 11 points. As a team, UIU shot 54.5% from the field in the first half, to go with a 9-of-10 showing from the free throw line.

The Mavericks would chip away at UIU's lead and eventually pulled to within seven of the Peacocks at 68-61 after a jump shot from sophomore Ryland Holt with 7:43 to go. The Mavericks managed to get back within four points on a few occasions in the closing seconds of the game but Upper Iowa was able to connect on their free throws to keep its lead as the Peacocks closed out the game with a 94-87 win.

Six Mavericks tallied at least 10 points in the game, including Holt who notched a team-leading 18 points. Junior Kelby Kramer notched a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while junior Devonte Thedford and Williams each tallied 12 points.

As a team, MSU shot 46.4% from the field. The Mavericks also enjoyed a 44-33 advantage in rebounds.

Smoldt led all scorers with 29 points as he connected on 17-of-18 attempts from the free throw line. Lucas Duax added 11 points and nine rebounds also.

As a team, Upper Iowa shot 44.6% from the field. The Peacocks also connected on 27-of-32 (.844) attempts from the free throw line. 

Minnesota State concludes its regular season schedule next weekend on the road as it takes on Concordia-St. Paul in a Friday-Saturday series. Friday's tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., with Saturday's tip-off set for 2:00 p.m.

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