Box Score Costa, Mesa, Calif.---Tied at 55-55 with 14:23 left to play, top-ranked NAIA Division I opponent Vanguard University (3-0) was too strong down the stretch as they defeated the University of Mary (1-1) 90-75 in women's basketball action Friday night. 
 
One of four U-Mary players in double figures, Linda Murray was a force inside scoring 22 points and snagging 11 rebounds. Murray shot 10-for-16 from the field and blocked two shots.
 
All-American Nicole Ballestero struggled from the field (8-for-25) for Vanguard, but made a living at the free throw line going 12-for-14 from the stripe as she finished with 30 points. 
 
Despite turning the ball over nine times leading to 14 Vanguard points, U-Mary trailed by just five at half. Ashlee Harper scored 10 of her 15 points in the first half.
 
Brittney Dietz, who finished with 10 points, opened the second half with a three to cut the deficit to two. Three minutes later McKenzie Foster connected on a three to tie the game at 48-48. Never able to take the lead, the Marauders found themselves tied as late as 14:23 remaining. Vanguard slowly pulled away as they outscored U-Mary 23-9 over the next 12 minutes building their lead to 14 with 2:47 to play. Lindsey Sand, who finished with 13 points, hit a three to cut the lead to 11, but the Marauders ran out of time as they fell 90-75.
 
U-Mary outshot Vanguard 40-38 percent, but the Lions held an 82-62 advantage from the line. VU attempted 13 more free throws than UM. The Lions held a distinctive advantage on the boards at 48-38, as well as in the turnover battle finishing with just six to the Marauders 14.
 
The U-Mary will be back in action tomorrow at 5 p.m. as it takes on another NAIA opponent in Biola University.