Box Score Bismarck, N.D.— The University of Mary was dominant inside as they cruised to an 84-62 victory over Upper Iowa University in the opening round of the NSIC/Sanford Health Women's Basketball Tournament. U-Mary took advantage of UIU's starting center Carly Pagel being out as they held a 48-12 advantage in the paint.
 
Senior forwards Shaunna Knife and Shanara Clark were the catalysts for the Marauders' inside dominance. The duo combined to score 37 points on 17-of-19 shooting from inside the arc. Knife finished with a game-high 23 points and 9 rebounds, while Clark scored a career-high 14 points. Now with 638 career rebounds, Shaunna Knife moves into fifth place all-time.
 
Sam Thrapp was Upper Iowa's (7-23, 4-18 NSIC) leading scorer finishing with 18 points on 11-of-12 shooting from the free throw line.
 
With 24 of the Marauders field goals coming inside the paint, they shot their second fewest three-point shots of the season going 5-of-12. Overall U-Mary shot 59 percent, their second highest percentage of the season. The Marauders held a commanding 39-25 advantage on the boards and a 12-4 edge in second chance opportunities.
 
The Peacocks came out strong in the first half and led by as many as four as Whitney Kieffer, the leading scorer in the NSIC, hit a three with 8:29 to go in the period. Knife led U-Mary on an 8-0 run scoring six points on three lay-ups to give the Marauders a four point lead. Leading by one with 2:06 to go, U-Mary ended the half with a six point run to enter the break leading 41-34. Knife scored early and often in the first half with 17 of her game-high 23 points coming in the opening period.
 
Led by 12 points from Clark, the Marauders pulled away in the second half. U-Mary started the half on a 9-2 run to grow their lead to 14 and never looked back. The Marauders led by at least 10 the rest of the game and grew their lead to as many 27. In the second half U-Mary shot 64 percent on 16-of-25 shooting.
 
Ali Collins finished with 22 points and a game-high six assists.  Laura Petersen added nine points and six rebounds.
 
With 19 wins on the season, the Marauders have matched last seasons win total and tied the program record for wins since joining the NSIC in 2006.
 
U-Mary (19-10, 13-9 NSIC) will host Augustana College on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the McDowell Activity Center. Tickets will be available for pre-sale at the U-Mary athletic office on Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the game.

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