FAYETTE, Iowa --- The final game of the regular season came down to the closing seconds, but it was Upper Iowa that was able to get the final shot to drop as Minnesota State fell to the Peacocks 86-84.

With the loss, the Mavericks drop to 17-11 on the season, including an 11-11 NSIC record. With the win, UIU improves to 16-12, including a 13-9 conference record.

The first half saw the Mavericks jump out to a 12-0 lead in the first three minutes. Junior Malik Willingham notched six points during the opening stretch, as he became the 42nd Maverick to record 1,000 career points. By the midpoint of the half, the Mavericks still held their double-digit lead as they led 22-9.

With just over four minutes to go in the opening stanza, MSU still held an eight-point lead at 38-30, but the Peacocks would cut into the Mavericks' lead as they finished the half on a 12-8 run to cut MSU's lead to four at 46-42 at halftime.

Sophomore Harrison Braudis led all scorers in the first half with 19 points as he shot 8-of-10 from the field. Malik Willingham recorded eight points as well. As a team, MSU shot 51.4% from the field in the first half.

Lucas Duax led the Peacocks in the first half with 16 points, while Jake Hilmer recorded 12 points and five assists. As a unit, UIU shot 51.6% from the field.

The second half proved to be close throughout as neither team led by more than eight points in the final 20 minutes. Just over six minutes into the second half the Mavericks and Peacocks were tied at 56-56. UIU was able to put together an 8-0 run to take a 64-59 lead with 10:04 to go.

Heading into the final five minutes the Peacocks held a five-point lead at 79-74, but four points from senior Trevor Moore got the Mavericks back to within one at 79-78 with 4:02 to go. A basket from Malik Willingham with 1:25 would tie the score at 84-84.

MSU has two attempts to take the lead, but UIU was able to haul in the rebound and call a timeout with 20 seconds left. Duax then connected on a layup with four seconds left to put UIU up 86-84.

MSU's last second shot missed the mark as Upper Iowa held on to the 86-84 win.

Braudis finished with 21 points and six rebounds, while both Moore and Malik Willingham netted 20 points each.

As a team, MSU shot 50.0% from the field. The Mavericks also outrebounded the Peacocks 38-28.

Duax led all scorers with 25 points, while Hilmer tallied 22 points and eight assists. As a team, UIU shot 50.9% from the field and cashed in on 21-of-27 (.778) attempts from the line.

Minnesota State opens play in the first round of the NSIC Tournament this Wednesday on the road as it takes on Minnesota Duluth. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.