MANKATO, Minn. -- Minnesota State-Mankato rolled Friday evening at Taylor Center as it defeated the Upper Iowa Peacocks 95-56.
With the win, the Mavericks improved to 8-1, including a 2-0 mark in NSIC action. With the loss, Upper Iowa fell to 2-6, with a 0-2 record in conference action.
Junior Assem Marei notched his eighth career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while senior Tanner Adler dropped in a game-high 18 points, while shooting 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. Seniors Connor O'Brien and Gage Wooten each tallied nine points and 10 rebounds as well.
As a team, MSU shot 52.4 percent (33 of 63) from the field, including a 10 of 24 (41.7 percent) from beyond the arc. The Mavericks also brought down 59 rebounds and dished out 17 assists.
The Mavericks didn't waste any time building a double-digit lead, as they went up by 11 at 16-5 with 15:25 left in the first half. The Peacocks managed to get back within six, but the Mavericks stormed right back as they took a 52-31 lead into intermission.
Marei led all scorers in the first half with 12 points, to go along with eight rebounds, while O'Brien added nine points and seven boards.
As a team, MSU connected on 17 of 32 (53.1 percent) of its shots from the field in the first half, including a 6 of 13 (46.2 percent) showing from behind the arc. The Mavericks also made 12 of 14 (85.7 percent) of their shots from the line in the opening session as well.
The Mavericks did not miss a step in the second half as they outscored the Peacocks 43-25 en route to a 95-56 win.
Joey Woods led Upper Iowa with 14 points, while Austin Mecca brought down a team-high six rebounds.
