Last Week: Taking a commanding lead at 16-4, U-Mary led wire to wire in its 76-68 win over Minnesota Duluth. The following night the Marauders started strong with a 9-2 start, but St. Cloud State countered with a 19-3 run as it cruised to a 100-80 win. Although a sweep was the goal after defeating Minnesota Duluth on Friday, a weekend split leaves U-Mary just one game out of first place going into this weeks rematch against Minot State.

This weekend U-Mary will play its final game of 2013 as it takes on Minot State in a rematch of the team's conference opening game.

The Records: U-Mary is 5-3 so far this season and 3-2 in NSIC play. The Marauders have a perfect 3-0 record at home. Minot State is 7-2 overall and 3-2 in NSIC play. The Beavers are 0-2 on the road.

Follow along with all of this weekend's live coverage at goumary.com/coverage. There will be live video, audio and stats available for both games. For those in the Bismarck area the radio coverage for both games will also be broadcast on Bismarck's ESPN 710 AM.

TV TIME: The Marauders-Beavers basketball game will be aired live on the North Dakota NBC Sports Network throughout the central and western part of the state on KFYR-TV in Bismarck, KMOT-TV in Minot, KUMV-TV in Williston and KQCD-TV in Dickinson. KFYR-TV sports director Lee Timmerman handles the play-by-play duties and former Marauders women's basketball coach Fred Fridley provides the color commentary. Alec Ausmus, the KFYR-TV weekend anchor and host of "Marauders Weekly," is the sideline reporter. 

OFF THE COURT: Game sponsor American Bank Center has complimentary tickets available at its locations throughout the Bismarck area. This week's Coaches Luncheon will be held at the Radisson Hotel on Friday, Dec. 20. Lunch is served starting at 11:45 AM with the program to begin shortly after noon. Men's coach Jevin Budde, women's coach Rick Neumann and wrestling coach Adam Aho are the featured speakers. Cost is $7. Dreams in Motion will play a wheelchair basketball game at intermission of the men's game. The mission of Dreams in Motion is to provide recreational and sporting opportunities for youth and young adults, from ages 2-25, with mobility challenges or visual impairments and their families and friends.

Last Season's Finish: U-Mary finished the 2012-13 season with a 19-11 record overall and a 13-9 conference record, which was good for 5th place overall in the NSIC. Minot State was 13-14 overall and finished in 11th place with a 9-13 conference record in its first season as part of the NSIC.

The Series: The Marauders and Beavers have faced off a total of 73 times. U-Mary holds a commanding 45-28 advantage in the all-time series. U-Mary has won 12 of the last 16 meetings. The two teams split last season, with each team winning on the road. The Marauders fell to the Beavers to open conference play this season.

Last season's meetings: The Marauders had a chance against the Beavers at the Civic Center a year ago, but were unable to convert in the final minute falling 74-73. U-Mary avenged its loss later in the season with a 70-58 road win.

Rematch: U-Mary opened conference play 79-72 loss againt Minot State. Despite a slow start, the Marauders had their chances down the stretch.

Up Next for U-Mary will be games against Augustana and Wayne State at home on Jan. 3 and 4.

For Full Notes Click HERE

#marauders#