GAME NOTES

THIS WEEK: In the final games of 2011 before taking a week off for Christmas, the University of Mary travels the snowy trails of northern Minnesota to meet the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs and the Bemidji State University Beavers. The Marauders and the Bulldogs tangle at 8 PM on Friday, December 16, in Duluth, MN. On Saturday, Dec. 17, the Marauders and Beavers begin tho battle at 6 PM in Bemidji, MN.

THE RECORDS / LAST WEEK: The Marauders are 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the Northern Sun this season after suffering two losses at home last weekend, 58-45 to #16 Augustana and 58-55 to Wayne State College... The Bulldogs are 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the NSIC after splitting two games on the road last weekend, defeating Upper Iowa 82-78 and losing 95-82 at Winona State... The Beavers are 7-3 and 2-2 after splitting two road games, losing 62-49 at Winona State and beating Upper Iowa 70-60.

LAST YEAR: U-Mary finished 23-6 overall and placed second in the Northern Sun at 18-4. The Marauders qualified for the NCAA tournament and were ranked as high as 14th in the nation before finishing 18th in the final poll... Minnesota Duluth went 10-16 overall and 8-14 in the Northern Sun... Bemidji State finished 11-15 overall and 8-14 in the NSIC.

HISTORY / LAST MEETING:
U-Mary vs. Minnesota Duluth: The Marauders hold a 3-2 edge over the Bulldogs after sweeping UMD last season. The Marauders first win over the Bulldogs was an 80-77 overtime win on 1.16.09... U-Mary won the last meeting 82-72 at UMD on 1.29.11. Five Marauders reached double figures, led by 21 points from Anthony Moody. Jalen Jaspers hit four treys and scored a career-high 19 points. Ryan Rasmussen scored 18 points to lead the Bulldogs.

U-Mary vs. Bemidji State University: After sweeping a two-game set last season, U-Mary leads the series with BSU 9-2. The series began in 1971 with a 92-87 home win for the Marauders. The two teams played twice in the 1987 season with each school winning at home. Since becoming a member of the NSIC, U-Mary captured the first five meetings before BSU broke through with a home win in the 2009-10 season... Eric Erdmann and Anthony Moody both scored 20 points and U-Mary earned a 71-60 win at BSU on 1.28.11 in the last meeting between the two schools. Damon Smith added 10. James Ellisor and Lance Rongstad both had 16 points for the Beavers.

GET OUTTA HERE! Damon Smith blocked a career-high six shots in the Marauders 58-55 home loss to Wayne State College. The six rejections are the most by a U-Mary player since the Marauders began NCAA Division II play in 2006-07. The senior forward had four blocks on Friday against #16 Augustana. His biggest block of the season was a rejection of a three-pointer as time expired to secure a three-point win for the Marauders at Concordia - St. Paul.

GET OUTTA HERE - NSIC / NCAA VERSION: Damon Smith is leading the Northern Sun in blocks and is 18th in NCAA Division II. After 10 blocks in his last two games, including six against Wayne State, Smith is averaging 2.4 blocks per game.

DEFENSE: The Marauders had a strong defensive weekend, allowing just 58 points in both games over the weekend. The totals tied for the fewest points U-Mary has allowed in a game this season. In a 58-45 loss to #16 Augustana, the Marauders out-rebounded the Vikings 31-30 and held Augie to a 4-of-12 effort behind the arc. In a 58-55 loss to Wayne State, the Wildcats shot just 41.7 per cent from the field.

NO HARM NO FOUL: U-Mary and Augie shot just 13 free throws combined in its game last week. The Marauders went 4-of-6 at the line and Augie finished the game 6-of-7.

DORR DOUBLES DOWN: Alex Dorr just missed his second double double of the season against Wayne State. The junior forward picked up nine points and nine rebounds.

BLOCK PARTY: The Marauders are third in the NSIC and in 83rd in NCAA Division II in blocks with an average of 3.5 rejections per game. Much of the damage is done by Damon Smith, who has posted 19 of the squad's 28 blocks. Alex Dorr is next with four blocks.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: Once again, a Marauders game came down to the final possession. Trailing Wayne State by three, U-Mary had possession of the ball with an opportunity to draw even but couldn't get a three-point shot off with time expiring in a 58-55 loss.

WORTH THE TICKET: If you attend a U-Mary men's basketball game, make sure you stay until the end. Five of the eight Marauders games have come down to the final minute. U-Mary defeated Chadron State 73-72 when Josh Turner hit a game-winning three-pointer with two seconds left in the game. The Minot State game went into two overtimes after the Beavers hit a trey with four seconds left in regulation. MSU Billings hit the go-ahead basket with a minute left in the game on Saturday. The Marauders defeated Concordia University 67-64 when Jalen Jaspers made four free throws in the final 24 seconds and Damon Smith blocked a three point attempt to even the score as time expired. U-Mary had possession with the chance to tie the game in the final seconds of a 58-55 loss to Wayne State.

BALANCE: Six different Marauders have reached double digits in points this season, led by Darius Robinson with seven and Josh Turner has done it six times. Damon Smith, Jalen Jaspers, Alex Dorr and Lamada Williams also have hit for 10 or more points this season.

LEADERS: Three different players have led the Marauders in scoring. Darius Robinson has paced the Marauders five times in eight games, Josh Turner three and Damon Smith once.

SHARING THE LOAD: Three Marauders are averaging double figures in points. Darius Robinson leads the way at 15.4 points per game, followed by Josh Turner (13.5 PPG) and Damon Smith (10.6 PPG).

PRODUCTION: One of the top junior college scorers in the nation last season at McCook (NE) Community College where he averaged 21.4 points per game, Darius Robinson is showing the same skills this season at the University of Mary. Through eight games, Robinson is averaging 15.6 PPG to lead the Marauders. He is 14th in the NSIC. Deadly from the floor, Robinson is shooting 47.7 per cent overall and making 45.9 per cent of his three point attempts. At the free throw line he is 22-of-27(81 per cent).

OPEN DORR POLICY: JR F Alex Dorr posted his first career double double when he scored 13 points and pulled down 13 rebounds against Minot State. Both figures are career-highs. Dorr, who is 12-of-13 at the free throw line, is 16th in the NSIC in rebounding with 5.8 per game. He is averaging 7.1 points per game.

DOMINATING DAMON: U-Mary's lone returning starter is off to a tremendous start. The senior forward is averaging 10.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He leads the team and is 12th in the NSIC in rebounding. Smith also leads the Marauders in blocks (19). He is second in assists and assists. Smith averaged 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds last season.

STOP THIEF! Baley Johnson had four steals against Minot State, the fifth best total for a U-Mary player in the past six seasons. Impressively, the senior owns two of the four top totals as he has had posted five steals twice. Johnson is averaging 1.38 steals per game, 12th in the NSIC.

BEHIND THE ARC: Josh Turner is fourth in the NSIC in made three pointers per game, dropping in 2.25 treys per game. Darius Robinson is right behind, 8th with 2.13/game.

TURNER TIDBITS: JR G/F Josh Turner has stepped right into the lineup and made an immediate impact. The junior college transfer is averaging 13.5 points per game and shooting 49.3 per cent from the field. He is also pulling down 4.4 boards per game. Turner made his mark when he hit a game-winning three pointer at Chadron State with two seconds left on the clock.

FIRST: Jevin Budde picked up his first collegiate head coaching win when the Marauders defeated Chadron State College 73-72 on November 15.

2 to 12: After finishing second in the Northern Sun last season, the Marauders are picked 12th in he NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll after graduating four starters and six seniors.