Box Score Bismarck, ND – Entering the final game of the year, the University of Mary men's team already knew they weren't advancing to postseason play. The Marauders made sure their travel partner would be staying home as U-Mary knocked out Northern State University 70-67. A victory would have earned the Wolves a spot in the Northern Sun tournament but the loss to the Marauders ended their season.
A tight game throughout,
Damon Smith converted a three-point play with 2:17 remaining to give the Marauders a 65-63 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Josh Turner hit two free throws with 1:34 showing to push the U-Mary advantage to four points.
Geoffrey Firmin cut the U-Mary lead in half with a layup at 00:46 but
Mike Johnson responded with a pair of free throws with 37 seconds showing to push the lead back to four.
The Wolves were unable to make a basket in the final 37 seconds. Northern State missed five shots despite pulling down several offensive rebounds. In the middle of the misses, Smith was fouled and made one of two free throws for a 70-65 U-Mary lead. Dustin Tetzlaff would make a couple free throws in the final seconds for Northern State but the Marauders would hold on for the win.
Smith led all players with 18 points. In his final collegiate game, the senior from Milwaukee, WI, made 7-of-10 shots and pulled down six rebounds. Despite foul trouble that limited him to just 18 minutes, the leading shot-blocker in the NSIC rejected three on the night.
Alex Dorr came off the bench to score 16 points and snare six boards for U-Mary. He hit three treys to lead the team. Also in a reserve role, Turner added 12 points.
Mike Johnson was the fourth Marauders player in double digits, scoring 12 points and adding three assists. It was his third straight game with at least ten points.
Baley Johnson was a defensive force for the Marauders. The senior had nine rebounds and blocked three shots in his last game for U-Mary. Johnson also added three assists.
Firmin and Dustin Tetzlaff both scored 15 points for the Wolves. Tetzlaff also had 11 rebounds. Colling Pryor chipped in ten points.
U-Mary posted a solid defensive effort, limiting Northern State to 41 per cent shooting for the night. The Marauders checked in at 44.2 per cent.
The Marauders close the season with two straight wins and finish 8-18 overall and 7-15 in the NSIC. The Wolves end the year 13-13 and 9-13.
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