Box Score Bismarck, ND—Facing its second ranked opponent in as many nights, the University of Mary women's basketball team (5-6, 3-5 NSIC) fell Saturday evening to No. 14 Wayne State College (14-1, 7-1 NSIC). U-Mary came within three with 1:54 left to play, but went on to fall by a final of 75-67.
 
One of three Marauders in double figures, Linda Murray led all scorers with 24 points on 12-for-21 shooting. Murray added 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.
 
Yossi Aston, one of three Wayne State players in double figures, led the Vikings with 19 points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field and a 9-for-9 performance from the free throw line.
 
Down 12-7 with 13:23 remaining in the first half, Wayne State went on a 27-10 run to open its largest lead of the night at 12. Cutting the lead to as few as eight with a Murray lay-up, U-Mary entered the half trailing 38-28. The Marauders struggled to take care of the ball in the first half committing 11 turnovers, which would lead to 17 points for the Wildcats.
 
U-Mary started the second half strong cutting the deficit to two with 13:04 left to play. Less than two minutes later Ashlee Harper brought the score to within one at 50-49 with a step-back three-pointer. The Marauders were within a basket four different times after that, but were unable to breakthrough as they fell 75-67.
 
Murray asserted herself throughout the second half scoring 16 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Lindsey Sand delivered seven of her career-high 11 assists in the second half.
 
For the game Wayne State held a 43-40 advantage in shooting percentage, but U-Mary attempted 19 more shots. The Wildcats made up for the deficit by holding distinctive advantages both at the line and from deep. From the line Wayne State was 23-for-32 to U-Mary's 6-for-7; from deep the Wildcats were 6-for-14 to the Marauders 1-for-14.
 
U-Mary held a 54 to 28 advantage on the glass and a 48 to 16 edge in the paint. The Marauders had 19 second chance points to the Wildcats 2.
 
U-Mary will be on the road next weekend as it takes on Winona State on Jan. 10.
 
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