Box Score Bismarck, ND – An upset bid by the University of Mary fell just short as the Marauders suffered a hard-fought 83-72 loss to 11th-ranked Winona State University in Northern Sun men's basketball. One of three U-Mary players in double figures, Josh Turner led the squad with 15 points.  
  
On a night neither team could miss from the field, the Marauders (2-9 overall, 2-5 NSIC) claimed a 32-26 lead late in the opening half on a three-pointer from Darius Robinson. The Warriors (11-1, 6-0) pulled within one but a Robinson layup pushed the U-Mary lead back to three at 34-31.
 
Winona State then made its move. Jon Walburg hit a trey to even the game and a Grant Johnson basket gave the Warriors the lead for good. A three-point play by Xavier Humphrey and a Kellen Taylor basket would provide Winona State a 41-35 lead at intermission.
 
Trailing by as many as 11 points in the second half, the Marauders made a run to pull within five. Damon Smith made a layup and was fouled on the play by Clayton Vette. Disagreeing with the call, Vette was assessed a technical foul. Turner hit both free throws for the technical before Smith converted at the line to complete his three point play and pull U-Mary within 56-51 with just over 13 minutes in the game. Quickly the Warriors pushed their advantage back to double digits and the differential remained between eight and 13 points the rest of the night.
 
Turner hit three treys and all four free throw attempts and led the Marauders with 15 points. Alex Dorr, who hit a trey to open the game, added 13 points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. He also knocked down 6-of-8 shots. Jalen Jaspers added 12 points and dealt four assists.
 
CJ Erickson paced the Warriors with 17 points. Johnson had 15 points and Humphrey added 13.
 
Both teams had strong shooting nights. U-Mary made 52.3 per cent of its field goal attempts and knocked down half its 16 trey attempts. Winona State made 55.8 per cent of its shots and converted half of its 18 three point shots.
 
The Marauders continue their four-game home stand when Upper Iowa arrives at the McDowell Activity Center on Tuesday, January 3.
 
#marauders#