Box Score BISMARCK, N.D. – A dominant defensive effort and a relentless attacking offense led the University of Mary to a 74-65 upset over Southwest Minnesota State University. Chris Mason led the Marauders with 18 points and U-Mary went to the free throw line 38 times in the win.
 
Just the second time in 11 games the Marauders have defeated the Mustangs, U-Mary (7-17 overall, 5-14 Northern Sun) improved to sixth in the NSIC North Division with the victory and a loss by Minot State University. SMSU (15-10, 12-7) remains third in the NSIC North.
 
The Marauders limited the third best shooting team in the NSIC to a 39.3 per cent effort from the floor, the fifth lowest mark of the season for the Mustangs. SMSU entered the night shooting 49.7 per cent from the field.
 
Down five early in the first half, the Marauders went on a 13-2 run behind three-pointers by Jalen Jaspers, Mike Johnson and Luke Scott to take a 26-17 lead. The Marauders would enter intermission up 35-33.
 
SMSU gained the lead early in the second half but a Mason layup pushed the Marauders in front for good 42-40 with 17:17 to play. A three-pointer by Damonta Henry and a Jaspers free throw increased the U-Mary lead to 53-46 at 10:42.
 
With their lead cut to 63-62 at 2:20, the Marauders went to the line to protect their advantage. In the last 1:12, the Marauders drained 10-of-12 free throws to stave off the Mustangs attack. Mason went 4-of-4 at the free throw line and Henry 3-of-4 to lead U-Mary down the stretch. SMSU managed to make just one of its final six shots of the game.     
 
Mason made all six of his free throw attempts and hit two treys in the game on his way to 18 points. The junior guard also added five rebounds.
 
Henry came off the bench to score 14 points, knocking down three treys in eight attempts. Germain Decoste scored nine points and had a team-high eight rebounds and two blocks. Jaspers also had nine points, two blocks and two steals. Johnson made both his trey attempts and scored six points.
 
Former U-Mary player Shaun Condon led SMSU with 23 points, making five three-pointers in 11 attempts. Nick Smith added 12 points and six rebounds.
 
The Marauders shot 48.8 per cent for the game, including a 9-of-16 effort behind the arc. U-Mary was 23-of-38 at the free throw line. SMSU, meanwhile, was 9-of-12 at the line and 12-of-28 behind the arc. The three-pointers attempted and made by the Mustangs are a season-high.
 
U-Mary closes out its last home stand of the season against the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, February 15, at 6 PM.
 
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