Box Score Bismarck, ND--Behind their best shooting performance of the season, the University of Mary women's basketball team (8-6, 6-5 NSIC) led by as many as 19 on their way to an 86-80 win over St. Cloud State University (9-6, 5-6 NSIC).
Going 16-of-30 in the first half, the Marauders went 16-for-26 in the second, finishing the game shooting 57.1 percent.
Linda Murray struggled at times from the field (10-of-21), but finished with 22 points for her seventh 20-point performance of the season.
Jessica Benson, who also struggled from the field at times, paced St. Cloud State with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting.
The first half was characterized by runs. U-Mary took the lead on a three-point play from Murray at 8-6, which sparked a 9-1 run that gave U-Mary a seven-point lead. SCSU responded with a 17-6 run to take a four-point lead at 24-20. After exchanging baskets, the Marauders answered with their biggest run of the night. A 19-4 run lead by seven points from
McKenzie Foster, gave U-Mary a 43-30 lead going into the locker room.
The Marauders controlled the first half going 16-of-30 to the Huskies 13-of-35. U-Mary also had a 21-17 advantage on the glass.
The Marauders started the second half strong opening up their largest lead of the night at 56-37 with 15:02 left to play, but allowed the Huskies to stick around. An 11-2 run spanning less than two minutes by SCSU brought the game to within 10. The Marauders built their lead back up to 16 as
Brittney Dietz and
Lindsey Sand hit back-to-back threes with 6:45 left to play. The Huskies managed to keep the game within reach and trailed by just two possessions with 38 seconds remaining. Dietz all but sealed the game, however, on the ensuing possession as she knocked down a pair of free throws allowing the Marauders to hold on for a 86-80 win.
Sand was key down the stretch for U-Mary going 4-of-4 in the second half and scoring 11 of her 15 points in the period. Free throws were the story of the second half as the Huskies went 21-of-21 and the Marauders just 8-of-18.
For the game, U-Mary committed 16 turnovers to SCSU's nine. SCSU took advantage holding a 22-7 edge in points off turnovers. The Marauders continued their strong inside play outscoring the Huskies 52-43 in the paint and holding a 38-31 lead on the glass.
Dietz finished with 16 points on 3-of-6 shooting from range.
Sloan Turner provided a much-needed spark off the bench for U-Mary scoring 12 points (6-of-7), grabbing six rebounds and blocking two shots. Foster rounded out five Marauders in double figures finishing with 11 points. Freshman
Hannah Larson grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds for her fourth double figure rebounding effort of the season.
U-Mary will be back in action tomorrow evening as it hosts Minnesota Duluth.
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