Box Score Bismarck, ND – An incredible offensive display in the second half carried the University of Mary to a 79-72 upset win over Northern Sun-leading St. Cloud State University. The Marauders shot a blistering 75 per cent in the second half and overcame a 15 point deficit to rally for the win.
 
Back to back three pointers by Josh Turner and Jalen Japsers gave U-Mary a 53-50 lead with ten minutes left in the game and capped an 11-0 run. After a basket by Tim Bergstrasser of SCSU, the Marauders followed with a basket by Baley Johnson in the paint and a three-point play from Damon Smith, pushing the U-Mary lead to 58-52 and finishing a 29-8 run by U-Mary.
 
The Huskies would close to within four points with four minutes remaining but Marauders freshman Justin Ledger drained a three-pointer to push U-Mary to a seven point advantage.
 
The Marauders would cement the game at the line, sinking 11 free throws in 13 attempts in the final 1:29 of the game.
 
Smith led the Marauders with 23 points and five rebounds. The league's top shot blocker also rejected three SCSU scoring attempts and he added a career-high six assists.
 
Mike Johnson drained all four of his three point attempts on the night and scored 14 points. He also had three assists. Jaspers, Turner and Johnson all had eight points apiece and Ledger added seven and four assists.
 
Brett Putz nailed five treys in six attempts and led the Huskies with 19 points. Theo Rothstein added 16 points and Bergstrasser had 15.
 
As a team, the Marauders shot 62.8 per cent from the field, including an 8-of-13 effort behind the arc. SCSU connected on 45.1 per cent of its shots. U-Mary held a 32-23 edge in rebounds.
 
This was the second Marauders home win of the season. The other win also was over #19 MSU Moorhead, which also was leading the NSIC at the time. U-Mary improves to 7-18 overall and 6-15 in the NSIC. SCSU slips to 19-6 and 15-6.
 
The Marauders close the season February 25 when U-Mary hosts Northern State.
 
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