Box Score Moorhead, MN – Ali Collins scored a career-high 26 points to lead an offensive explosion for the University of Mary but the Marauders couldn't quite keep pace with a red-hot MSU Moorhead offense in a 98-92 road loss to the Dragons. Trailing by as many as 23 points in the game, the Marauders had a chance to pull even in the final seconds but turned the ball over to seal a win for the Dragons.

Despite the loss, the Marauders remain third in the Northern Sun, two wins behind Augustana for second place but two wins ahead of fourth-place Minnesota Duluth. The Marauders are 15-6 overall and 12-5 in the NSIC. MSUM is 11-9 and 8-8.

One of the nation's best defensive teams, eighth in the nation in field goal percentage defense and allowing just 60 points a game, the Marauders were unable to slow the Dragons attack. U-Mary was limiting opposing teams to a 33.5 shooting percentage entering the game but MSUM clicked along at 50 per cent, including a 64.7 per cent effort on three pointers.

Playing from behind since the opening basket, U-Mary trailed 75-52 with over 11 minutes remaining in the Northern Sun contest. The Marauders made their move when Kayla Schmidt nailed a three pointer with less than eight minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to 18 points.

Shaunna Knife drilled a three-pointer to cap a 25-10 U-Mary run, making the score 92-86 with 1:35 left in the game. After both teams made a pair of free throws, Knife nailed another trey with 60 seconds to pull U-Mary within 94-91.

The Marauders would have a chance to tie the game after Lindsey Sand snared a rebound off a Dragons miss but a U-Mary turnover with 18 seconds on the clock short circuited what would have been an amazing comeback. MSUM completely extinguished U-Mary's hopes by make four straight free throws.

Collins led the Marauders with 26 points, knocking down 8-of-13 shots with a 7-of-8 effort at the free throw line. Behind the arc she was 3-of-5. The junior guard also tied a career-high with seven assists.

Sand gave U-Mary a big boost off the bench, scoring 13 points and making two treys. Schmidt hit four treys and had 12 points, three assists and three steals. Linda Murray scored 10 points in 11 minutes, limited due to fouls. Knife had three treys and scored nine points while also grabbing six rebounds. Kaitlyn Haag posted nine points and nine rebounds in a reserve role.

Brittany Mayclin scored 20 points off the bench for MSUM, making 4-of-5 trey attempts and distributing eight assists. Angie Jetvig had 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Megan Stresse and Marissa Yernatich both had 15 points as reserves.

The Marauders continue a four-game road trip when U-Mary next plays at NSIC-leading Wayne State College on February 10.

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