Box Score Bismarck, ND –
Linda Murray dominated the paint with her seventh double double of the season and the University of Mary overpowered St. Cloud State University 67-50. The victory ensures the Marauders a top four finish this season in the Northern Sun.
The Marauders outscored the Huskies 32-12 in the paint with Murray doing the bulk of the damage. The junior post player scored 20 points and pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds. Murray was also a force on the defensive end, blocking five shots by the Huskies. She made 7-of-10 shots from the field.
Sophomore post
Kaitlyn Haag also helped control the interior for U-Mary, coming off the bench to score 10 points while hitting all three of her shot attempts.
U-Mary's defense smothered SCSU, allowing the Huskies to make just 25.9 per cent of their shots. The Marauders also posted a 49-39 rebounding advantage.
A tight game much of the first half, the Marauders turned a three-point lead into a 42-22 advantage after exploding for a 17-0 run just before intermission. The Marauders hit three treys during the run and
Ali Collins and Murray both scored six during the U-Mary spurt.
Leading by 18 at intermission, the U-Mary lead would grow to as many as 25 in the second half as the Marauders rolled to the win.
Collins scored 13 points for the Marauders and just missed a double double with nine rebounds. She also distributed six assists and blocked two shots.
Kayla Schmidt nailed three treys and scored 12 points.
Shaunna Knife added nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Jessica Benson was the lone Huskies player in double figures, scoring 12 points. She also had nine rebounds.
The Marauders, ranked sixth in the NCAA regional poll, improves to 17-8 overall and 14-7 in the Northern Sun. With one game remaining for the Marauders, a win next week would clinch at least a share of third place. A loss and the Marauders could finish in a tie for fourth. SCSU slips to 13-12 and 10-11.
U-Mary closes out the regular season hosting Northern State on February 25.
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