Box Score Sioux Falls, S.D. – After getting swept last weekend, the University of Mary was looking to finish this weekend with a sweep of their own going into the game against Sioux Falls (11-11, 8-10 NSIC). Behind an outstanding shooting performance, U-Mary was able to just that as they defeated USF 76-65.
The Marauders had one of their best shooting nights of the season. U-Mary connected on 31 of 60 (.517) shots overall for the second best percentage of the season. The only game the Marauders shot better was against Dakota State (12/30), in which they shot 64 percent from the field. U-Mary also shot the ball effectively from beyond the arc with their first double-digit performance in nine games. The Marauders made 11 of their 27 three-point attempts and are now 8-0 when they make 10 or more three-point field goals.
Facing one of the best three-point shooting teams in the conference, this is the first time U-Mary has surrendered more than eight three-point field goals all season. Allowing the Cougars to shoot 44 percent (10-23), this is also the highest percentage the Marauders have allowed an opponent to shoot from deep.
Just two assists shy of a triple double,
Ali Collins had one of her best games of the season finishing with 15 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as she recorded her second consecutive double double.
Laura Johnson was the Cougars go to player all night finishing with a game high 20 points. One of the premier forwards in the conference, Johnson did it from inside and out. The 6-0 junior was 4-6 from beyond the arc and grabbed eight rebounds.
With four different players scoring in double figures for the Marauders,
Laura Petersen finished with a team and season-high 18 points on seven-of-ten shooting from the field.
Shaunna Knife had 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in another great all-around performance from the senior forward. Britney Dietz sparked the Marauders off the bench scoring nine of her 12 points in the first half.
U-Mary took the lead early in the first half and built it to 11 after a lay-up by Knife made the score 22-11. Two missed shots and two turnovers allowed the Sioux Falls to knock down three consecutive three-point shots and close the gap to one possession. The Marauders responded with a 10-0 run of their own lead by three pointers from
Lindsey Sand and
Taylor Luke. Up by 12, U-Mary was able to extend their lead to as many as 17 before entering the half leading 45-31.
In the second half the Marauders ballooned their lead up to 21 after Collins nailed a three with 11:44 left in the game to seemingly put the game out of reach. The Cougars, however, slowly chipped away and managed to close the gap to 10 with. It proved to be not enough though as the Marauders held on for a 76-55 victory.
U-Mary improves their record in conference to 10-8 (15-9 overall) and is now tied for third place in the North Division just one game out of first. The Marauders will be back in action next weekend as they host their final homestead of the season. U-Mary will host Minnesota Crookston on Friday and Bemidji State on Saturday in a pair of NSIC rematches. The Marauders defeated both teams on the road by double digits earlier this season.
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