Fayette, Iowa --- The Minnesota State women's basketball (19-5, 15-5 NSIC) hit the road one last time for the 2021-22 regular season looking to nab the NSIC South Division title. The Mavericks headed to Fayette, Iowa to take on the Peacocks of Upper Iowa (8-18, 4-15 NSIC). The Mavericks would run away with it in the end and earn a 91-67 victory and claim their first NSIC South Division title.

Minnesota State had four scorers reach the double-digit mark with Joey Batt leading the way with 17. Batt also led the team with six assists. Rylee Menster dropped 15 points and hauled in five rebounds. Both Molly Ihle and Mikayla Nachazel led the team on the glass as they each grabbed six in the contest.

Minnesota State got off to a sluggish start against the Peacocks as the Mavericks fell behind 4-0 quickly. Upper Iowa was able to find success in defeating the Mavericks pressure and led much of the opening frame. The Peacocks led by as much as five with just over four minutes remaining. Minnesota State began their accent late in the quarter as the full court pressure began to take full effect. The Mavericks racked up three steals on three consecutive possessions capped off by two Emily Herzberg three balls and a Destinee Bursch lay-up to take a six-point lead to the break.

Upper Iowa was doing everything they could to not let it slip away and cut the Mavericks lead to three with 6:26 left in the half. From there, Taylor Theusch would knock down a jumper to spark a 12-0 Mavericks run to begin the onslaught. The Mavericks allowed just five points in that final 6:26. Tayla Stuttley would cap off the quarter with a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining. The Mavericks took a 43-27 lead to the half.

In the second half, the Mavericks pressure continued to wear down the peacocks and they flourished on the offensive end. Minnesota State had multiple Mavericks get in on the scoring action as Bursch, Batt, Drees and Menster all hit shots from behind the arc. The Mavericks built a 27-point lead at the end of the third with a score of 72-45. The fourth quarter saw Minnesota State go into cruise control as their lead never dipped below 19. The Mavericks would finish strong on the road with a 91-67 win and claim their first NSIC South Division title.

As a team, Minnesota State shot 44% from the field compared to the Peacocks 36.8%. The Mavericks shot 52% from downtown going 13-25. Minnesota State shot 12-17 from the charity stripe and held a slight rebound margin 46-43.

The Mavericks return to action this Saturday for senior day as they host Winona State in Taylor Center. Tip-off between the Mavericks and Warriors is slated for 1:30 p.m.
 

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