Bismarck, ND – University of Mary post players Linda Murray and Kaitlyn Haag combined to score over half the Marauders points in leading U-Mary to a 59-46 win over the University of Minnesota Crookston. The win is the seventh straight for the Marauders, who retain second place in the Northern Sun in the women's basketball standings.

The Marauders win streak is the longest for the team since an eight game skein in 2004-05,

Murray led all players with 16 points and nine rebounds. The junior forward also added three blocks. After posting a double double her previous game against MSU Moorhead, Haag came close again today with a line of 14 points and eight boards. The sophomore post player scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half.

Megan Eul led the Golden Eagles with 11 points.

The Marauders offense struggled in the first half, connecting on just 26.7 per cent of their shots before turning it around in the second half. With Murray and Haag combining to make 8-of-13 shots after intermission, U-Mary shot 50 per cent after the break. The Marauders had a particularly tough time deep, making just one three-pointer in 15 chances.  

In another strong defensive game for the Marauders, U-Mary held UMC scoreless for the first eight minutes of play. Down 9-0, the Golden Eagles didn't score until there was under 12 minutes remaining in the first half.

UMC pulled to within four points but a 7-0 run by U-Mary, led by two baskets in the paint by Murray, built the lead to 11 points before entering intermission up 25-18.

The Golden Eagles made a quick run out of the gate to open the second half, scoring the first four points to close within 25-22. The Marauders responded with a 9-2 run to create a double digit lead. Eventually U-Mary would maintain at least a ten point lead over the last ten minutes of play.

U-Mary limited UMC to a 30.5 per cent shooting percentage for the game. One day after making 14 treys at Northern State, the Golden Eagles were just 2-of-17 behind the arc against the Marauders.   

The Marauders improve to 11-3 overall and 8-2 in the NSIC. The Golden Eagles are 7-6 and 4-5.

After playing four games at home in seven days, U-Mary returns to the road. The Marauders next face Southwest Minnesota State on January 13.

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