In a wild, high-scoring game Friday night at the Taylor Center in Mankato, Minn., the Mavericks of Minnesota State University came out on top over the Peacock men's basketball team, 99-92. The difference was the second half, as the home team scored 64 points and shot 80% (20-25) from the floor in that stretch to earn the win. MSU, who is receiving votes in the top 25 in the country, improves to 20-5 overall and 16-3 in the Northern Sun Conference with the win. UIU drops to 14-14 overall and 7-12 in league play with the loss.

In a game that featured 11 ties and 22 lead changes, it looked as though neither offense would slow down, and they did not disappoint. The teams exchanged points in the first half at a consistent rate, and neither team could gain a big advantage. Upper Iowa did slowly start to pull away with 6 minutes to play in the half, using a key 7-0 run to lead 26-20. The Mavericks, however, quickly closed that gap with back-to-back three pointers, and the game was even again. UIU did look for some momentum before halftime to pull ahead.

With 3:31 left in the half, Upper Iowa turned to their role players to break a 30-30 tie. Munachiso Okonkwo, was in a battle all night inside, got a run started for the Peacocks with a layup and a free throw on an and-one, and the offense started rolling. Kam Rowan used his signature jump shot from 15 feet on the next possession, and Joe Smoldt used his smooth shot to put together a 9-0 run to give the visitors a 39-30 lead. It looked as though the Peacocks would have all the momentum going to the locker room, however, the Mavericks were not done.

The game may have turned in the final 50 seconds of the half. MSU used a very quick 5-0 burst before halftime to pull within 39-34, and all of a sudden, a nine-point lead dissipated to a four-point lead like that. Minnesota State then came out of the locker room on fire, and began their stretch of shooting 80% from the floor in the final 20 minutes. In a 78-second span before and after halftime, the Mavericks used a 9-0 run to tie the game at 39.

The teams went back and forth after that. Both teams worked their way into the 60's on the scoreboard halfway through the period, with Upper Iowa leading 61-60 with 11:17 to play after a Jareese Williams three-pointer. From that moment on, Minnesota State went on a stretch of 11 straight made baskets, and led by 11 points, their largest lead of the game, with 2:09 to play. It looked as though Upper Iowa had no chance to make it a game late, but the Peacocks put together one final run to try to come back. Rowan and Carson Parker each hit a pair of three pointers late to get Upper Iowa back within five, but Minnesota State continued to knock down free throws to ice the game, 99-92.

Upper Iowa shot 50% (35-70) from the floor, including the same percentage from behind the arc (13-26). Rebounding was a big factor, with the Mavericks holding a significant 41-27 edge on the glass in the win. MSU was stellar at the free throw line, specifically in the second half, and finished 25-28 from the charity stripe.

Dennis Austin III led the Peacocks in scoring with 20 points, and paced five players in double figures. Parker tallied 18 on 6-13 from the floor, and both players tallied 6 rebounds to tie the team-best. Rowan recorded 17 off the bench on 7-13 shooting, while Smoldt added 13. Okonkwo's 11 rounded out the players in double digits. Parker's five assists led the team as well.

Upper Iowa will head over to St. Paul, Minn. for their final road game of the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 10. UIU will face the Golden Bears of Concordia University, St. Paul, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.