Game Notes Video Stream Friday's Audio Saturday's Audio LIve Stats
Last week U-Mary fell to in-state rival Minot State 79-72. Trailing by as many as 21, U-Mary was within one and had possession of the ball with under two minutes to play.
This weekend the University of Mary will host its first NSIC contests of the season as they take on MSU Moorhead on Fri. at 6 p.m. and conclude with Northern State University on Sat. at 4 p.m.
TOYS FOR TOTS: Bill Barth Ford-Kia and the University of Mary are combining forces to support Toys for Tots. Fans who donate a new toy at Bill Barth Ford for Toys for Tots will receive a ticket to the Marauders men's and women's basketball game on Friday or Saturday, Dec. 6-7, and a $10 Bill Barth Ford gift card. Fans can also make Toys for Tots donations at the Marauders games against MSU Moorhead on Friday and Northern State University on Saturday, Dec. 6-7. Donors will receive free admission and a $10 Bill Barth Ford gift card.
The Records: U-Mary is 2-2 so far this season and 0-1 in NSIC play, MSUM is 4-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play and NSU is a perfect 5-0 including a 1-0 record in NSIC play.
Follow along with all of the action on Friday at http://bit.ly/1blU8az and on Saturday at http://bit.ly/1bkNRrs. The game will have a live video stream. The video stream will include commentary and a live scoreboard. Rick Anthony, voice of the Marauders, will be doing play-by-play that on Friday can be found on Bismarck's ESPN 710 am. Due to scheduling conflicts, U-Mary's game Saturday can be found on KBMR 1130. Both stations can be streamed at iHeart.com. Live stats will be available for both games.
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. MSUM finished last season with a 16-12 mark overall and a 12-10 record in NSIC action, finishing in eight place. Finishing just behind MSUM last season, NSU had 16-12 record overall, with an 11-11 mark in conference play.
Last season's meetings between the Marauders are Dragons were especially memorable. At home U-Mary fell to MSU Moorhead 63-60 on a last second three from Morgan Zabel. The Marauders avenged their loss on the road thanks in part to a career-high 24 points from Shaunna Knife, as they held on for an 81-79 victory. U-Mary swept Northern State last season winning by 12 at home behind a 24 point 11 assist performance from Ali Collins. Closing out the regular season on the road against the Wolves, the Marauders squeaked out a 68-62 win as they clinched the No. 2 seed in the North Division.
The Series: Since joining the NSIC, U-Mary has faced MSUM 12 times, with the Dragons holding a 7-5 edge. All 12 meeting have been decided by 12 or fewer points, with six of those games being a one or two possession game. Since joining the NSIC, U-Mary has faced NSU 14 times, 13 of which were conference games. The overall series over that period is tied 7-7, but the Wolves hold a 7-6 advantage in NSIC contests. U-Mary currently hold a four game winning streak in the series, prior to which NSU held a four game winning streak.
MSUM, led by senior forward Morgan Zabel, is off to a 4-1 start. Zabel, who was named All-NSIC second team, is averaging a team-high 18.6 point and is leading the Dragons with 7.2 rebounds per game. Playing on the wing, Zabel has been aided by the inside presence of senior forward Megan Strese. Strese, who was named All-NSIC first team last season, is second on the team in both scoring and rebounding averaging 14.2 and 6.8 respectively. Key to the Dragons early season success has been their ability to shoot the ball and control the boards. MSUM is shooting 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc, while holding an average edge in rebounding of 9.2.
NSU, led by junior forward Rachel Krogman, is off to a perfect 5-0 start. With three double-doubles in just five games, Krogman is averaging 16.4 points and 10.0 rebounds. Krogman is joined in the frontcourt by junior forward Megan Mutchler, who is second on the team in both scoring (14.2/game) and rebounding (7.0/game), while shooting a team-high 64 percent. The Wolves success has stemmed from their ability to defend and take care of the ball. NSU is holding opponents to just 35 percent shooting forom the field and 25 percent from beyond the arc, the Wolves are shooting 43 percent and 29 percent respectively. Northern State is averaging 5.8 steals and 3.8 blocks per game, while committing 4.4 fewer turnovers than its opponents.
Next week U-Mary will hit the road next weekend as they take on Minnesota Duluth on Friday, Dec. 13 and St. Cloud State on Saturday.
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