The Upper Iowa University women's basketball team fell in their matchup against Minnesota State University, Mankato by a score of 88-48 in Mankato, Minn. The Peacocks drop to a 1-5 (0-2 NSIC) record on the year while the Mavericks improve to 6-0 (2-0 NSIC) on the season.
 
The teams kept it close for the first two minutes as MSU held a 6-5 advantage at the 8:04 mark, but the Mavericks closed the opening quarter on a 23-5 run to bring a 29-11 lead into the second quarter. Efficient shooting and smothering defense are Minnesota State's calling cards, and they called on those cards early and often. The Mavericks shot 12/21 (57.1%) from the floor and 3/7 (42.9%) from three-point range while holding the Peacocks to just 3/13 (23.1%) from the floor. 

The Mavericks kept their foot on the gas and opened the second quarter on an 18-0 run. Callista Rochon-Baker hit a three-pointer with 3:11 to play to score UIU's first points of the quarter. Lydia Haack and Rochon-Baker knocked down shots on back-to-back possessions to give UIU a 6-0 spurt, but MSU closed the half on a 7-1 run to carry a 54-19 lead into the halftime break.

After MSU extended their lead to 61-20, Upper Iowa went on a 13-3 stretch that featured nine points from Brooke Evenson on a 3/3 clip from behind the arc. The Mavericks outscored the Peacocks 19-17 in the third period despite being held to 5/18 (27.8%) from the floor, relying on eight makes from the charity stripe. Minnesota State maintained their advantage through the fourth quarter and claimed an 88-48 win.

STATS OF THE GAME… 

• MSU's defense snatched 14 steals to build an 18-5 turnover margin in the first half, leading to a 20-5 advantage in points off turnovers and a 20-3 edge in fast break points at the halftime break.
• The Mavericks also dominated inside with a 28-2 margin in points in the paint through the first two quarters. MSU outscored UIU 40-8 in the paint for the game.
• Minnesota State controlled the boards with a 52-37 rebounding advantage, including a 16-6 margin on the offensive glass.
• The Mavericks shot 31/71 (43.7%) from the floor while holding the Peacocks to a 16/57 (28.1%) clip, their worst mark of the season. Conversely, UIU (7/27, 25.9%) out-shot MSU (5/21, 23.8%) from behind the arc.

PEACOCKS OF THE GAME… 

• Brooke Evenson led UIU with 13 points and pulled down a game-high 8 rebounds. She shot 3/7 (42.9%) from behind the arc to lead the game in made threes. 
• Callista Rochon-Baker notched 10 points and grabbed 3 rebounds.

UP NEXT… The Peacocks host Concordia University, St. Paul for a Northern Sun Conference contest on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium in Fayette.