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THIS WEEKEND
Three University of Mary (6-17 overall / 4-14 Northern Sun) seniors play their final games the McDowell Activity Center this weekend when the Marauders wrap up their 2013-14 home schedule. Jalen Jaspers, Mike Johnson and Marc Musungayi play their final two home games against Northern Sun South Division foes Southwest Minnesota State University (15-9 / 12-6) and the University of Sioux Falls (12-10 / 9-9). The Marauders open the weekend against the Mustangs at 8 PM on Friday, February 14, before battling the Cougars on Saturday, February 15, at 6 PM.   

ON THE LINE
The Marauders return home after a four-game road trip... Currently tied for sixth in the NSIC North division with Minot State, the Marauders are playing for playoff positioning and need to finish a game ahead of the Beavers to claim the sixth seed in the North... Only four games remain in the regular season.

MARAUDERS-COUGARS TELEVISED ON NBC NORTH DAKOTA SPORTS NETWORK ME-TV IN CENTRAL, WESTERN ND
The NBC North Dakota Sports Network will air the Marauders-Cougars games from U-Mary's McDowell Activity Center on Me-TV throughout central and western North Dakota on February 15. Coverage on Me-TV begins at 4 PM with the women's game. The men's contest follows at approximately 6 PM...
The North Dakota NBC Sports Network stations televising the contest between the two Northern Sun foes on Me-TV are KFYR-TV in Bismarck, KMOT-TV in Minot, KUMV-TV in Williston and KQCD-TV in Dickinson... KFYR-TV sports director Lee Timmerman handles the play-by-play duties and former Marauders women's basketball coach Fred Fridley provides the color commentary. Alec Ausmus, the KFYR-TV weekend anchor and host of "Marauders Weekly," is the sideline reporter... Me-TV is available on the following over-the-air channels: 5.2 in Bismarck, 10.2 in Minot, 8.2 in Williston and 7.2 Dickinson... Me-TV can be found through the following cable outlets in central and western North Dakota: Midcontinent Communications (Ch. 595), ND Television Coop (Ch. 15), Beach Cable TV (7.2), BEK Communications (Ch. 7), and Reservation Telephone Coop (Ch. 2).

BLUE OUT
All fans are encouraged to wear blue to the Marauders game on Friday, February 15, against the Mustangs. U-Mary students who wear blue are eligible to win an iPad mini, an iPad shuffle and a $50 iTunes gift card.

"IT'S A SLAM DUNK, DON'T DRIVE DRUNK" CAMPAIGN SET FOR WEEKEND
This weekend is "It's A Slam Dunk, Don't Drive Drunk" for the Marauders. The event was created after Southwest Minnesota State University men's basketball coach Brad Bigler's son Drake was killed by a drunk driver in 2012. To further raise awareness about the danger of drunk driving, the Marauders Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will host a booth and have people in attendance sign a pledge card stating that they will not drive drunk. Each person that signs the pledge card will receive a blue keychain with an inscription of the theme: "It's a Slam Dunk-Don't Drive Drunk", the NSIC and NCAA logos along with Drake's name. Additionally, fans will be able to watch the video made by Marauders SAAC for this event.

HONOR SATURDAY
On Saturday, the seven men's and women's basketball seniors will be honored, along with the Miles Brand, Bortke and Olson Award winners. The seven U-Mary recipients of the Miles Brand Award will be honored at halftime of the women's game. The men's seniors – Jalen Jaspers, Mike Johnson and Marc Musungayi – and the Olson Award winner will be recognized right after the women's contest. The women's seniors – McKenzie Foster, Linda Murray, Lindsey Sand and Sudan Saunders – and the Bortke Award winners will be honored at halftime of the men's game.

HISTORY LESSON - MARAUDERS v. MUSTANGS
U-Mary is 1-9 all-time against SMSU and has yet to win in Marshall, MN, in six attempts. The series began in the 2005-06 season with a 74-49 home win for SMSU, the first of seven straight wins for the Mustangs. The Marauders only win was on 1.14.11 in Bismarck, ND, as Anthony Moody scored a game-high 18 points in a 60-48 U-Mary win. Eric Erdmann and Baley Johnson each added 10 points for the Marauders.

Last Meeting: Josh Turner scored 30 points and set a Marauders school record for single game three point shooting percentage when he drained 8 treys in 10 attempts (80%) at Southwest Minnesota State University but his efforts still left U-Mary short in a 77-64 loss on February 8, 2013. U-Mary led 36-32 at intermission before SMSU took control in the second half. The Mustangs converted 20 Marauders turnovers into a 30-5 edge in points off turnovers. Lavione West led SMSU with 19 points and three steals. U-Mary made 12-of-24 three-point attempts but was just 11-of-33 on two-point field goal attempts.   

HISTORY LESSON - MARAUDERS v. COUGARS
The Cougars lead the series with U-Mary 2-0. The two former NAIA competitors have met as NCAA and NSIC foes just once, a 75-70 USF home win on February 9, 2013. The Marauders joined the Northern Sun for the 2006-07 season and the Cougars began NSIC play in 2012-13.

Last meeting: Josh Turner scored 28 points, hitting 7-of-11 three point attempts, but the Marauders were unable to protect a halftime lead in a 75-70 road loss to the University of Sioux Falls on February 9, 2013. U-Mary held a 40-30 lead before a 19-6 USF run game the Cougars a lead with 8:50 left in the game that they would not relinquish. Marc Musungayi added 16 points for the Marauders. Derek Brown led USF with 21 points, making 6-of-9 trey attempts. David Maxwell added 14 points.

THE OPPONENT: Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs
One of the most successful and consistent teams in the Northern Sun, the Mustangs have just one losing season in the last eight years and two NCAA tournament appearances. A strong defensive team, SMSU is third in the NSIC in points allowed (70.7 PPG) and ninth in field goal percentage defense (.452). The Mustangs are also fifth in rebounding margin (+4.7). Offensively the Mustangs are just 11th in scoring (74.1 PPG) but are third in field goal percentage (.497). One of five SMSU players averaging double digits in scoring, Nick Smith produces 12.0 PPG and 7.1 RPG to lead the squad. He also has a team-high 38 blocks. Vinard Birch scores 11.3 PPG and is third in the NSIC in assists with 4.25. Former Marauders guard Shaun Condon produces 10.6 PPG off the bench. Head coach Brad Bigler is in his fifth season leading SMSU and has a 79-60 career mark and a 59-45 record in Northern Sun play.

THE OPPONENT: University of Sioux Falls
After a slow start to the conference season, the Cougars have won six of their last eight Northern Sun games and are now 9-9 overall in league play. During this run USF defeated NSIC divisional leaders Bemidji State and Winona State. A balanced offense, seven difference players average over eight points per game. Junior guard Charles Ward leads the team with 12.4 PPG and is second in rebounding at 5.2 RPG. One of the top long range shooters in the NSIC, senior guard Derek Brown is right behind at 12.3 PPG. He is 50-of-107 on three point attempts. 6-8 sophomore forward Jordan Stotts chips in 10.2 PPG and 6.0 RPG. One of the better scoring teams in the league (6th at 79.6 PPG) the Cougars are 15th in scoring defense, allowing 81.9 PPG. USF is second in the NSIC in three-pointers made per game (8.64) while U-Mary is last (5.26). USF is 9-0 when leading at intermission.

LAST TIME OUT
The Marauders outscored homestanding University of Minnesota Crookston 46-20 in the paint and held a 41-25 recruiting edge in a 67-62 win over the Golden Eagles on Friday, February 7. The only time U-Mary trailed was when UMC scored the opening basket of the game. The Marauders soon gained the lead and played out in front the rest of the night. Marc Musungayi led all players with 22 points and also grabbed eight rebounds. Jalen Jaspers added 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting and had three steals. Germain Decoste had 14 rebounds and eight points. Tyler West led UMC with 18 points... Chris Mason led the Marauders with 23 points on Saturday but the Marauders had no answer for Brock Lutes in a 90-77 road loss to NSIC North Division leading Bemidji State. Lutes scored 43 points, making 8-of-11 three point attempts and hitting 17-of-24 shots overall to earn NSIC Player of the Week honors. Jake Schalow added 25 points for BSU. Musungayi added 13 points and eight rebounds for U-Mary and Decoste added 12 points, six boards and two assists.

SENIOR WEEKEND
Three seniors will play their final home games for the Marauders this weekend. Jalen Jaspers and Mike Johnson are four-year contributors for the Marauders and Marc Musungayi is a two-year starter after transferring to U-Mary for his junior and senior seasons.

Here are comments from Marauders head coach Jevin Budde on the three seniors:
"It's going to be hard to see these three seniors go, not only because of what they can do on the basketball court, but more importantly because of whom they are as people and how they have represented this program. Jalen Jaspers, Mike Johnson and Marc Musungayi each possess qualities that make them the great young men that they are. We wish each of them nothing but the best as they move on. I know they are going to be successful in whatever they do.

 "Mike and Jalen are always going to be extremely special to myself and this program because they were part of the first high school recruiting class that Coach Herbst and I had. As freshman they were instrumental in our team going 23-6 and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Both of them possess unbelievable leadership qualities that are going to be greatly missed."
 
"Mike Johnson has never been a stat stuffer, but he has always been a player who is going to do whatever his team needs him to do. He is one of the toughest players I have ever had the opportunity to coach. Throughout Mike's career he has had injuries that could have kept him from practicing or playing, but because of his determination and his willingness to put the team above himself he never let it affect him. A contributor to our 2011 NCAA tournament team, Mike will finish fifth in games played in our NCAA era."
 
"Jalen Jaspers has been a regular in the starting line-up for us the past three seasons. He is a true competitor who brings it every day. He is a very determined young man who works extremely hard to be the best that he can be. An instrumental player in our 2011 team qualifying for the NCAA tournament, Jalen will finish among the top four in scoring and games played during U-Mary's NCAA era. He has played over 100 games and will score around 900 points."
 
"Marc Musungayi has developed into one of the best post players in the NSIC. He has always been a tough match-up because of his ability to score facing up or with his back to the basket. I was so happy for Marc when he was named NSIC Player of the Week in January after helping us to two wins. A player with many talents, Marc is among the league leaders in scoring, rebounding, shooting and blocking shots."

MUSUNGAYI ON THE MARCH
Marauders senior center Marc Musungayi has been dominant over the last eight games, which has included four U-Mary wins. The native of Hamilton, Ontario, is averaging 18.6 points per game and 6.0 rebounds while making 56.8 per cent of his field goal attempts (54-of-95) and 87.2 per cent of his free throws (41-of-47). Included in his recent run is a career-high 33 points against St. Cloud State and a 27 point outburst against Bemidji State.

27
During a stretch from the second half of the Wayne State College game until the first half of the Bemidji State game, senior forward  Marc Musungayi made 27 straight free throws.

500
Marc Musungayi scored his 500th career point against Bemidji State University and now sits at 592.

JASPERS HITS MILESTONES OF 855 POINTS, 105 GAMES
Senior guard Jalen Jaspers hit two personal milestones in the Marauders home game against Bemidji State. Jaspers played in his 100th game that night and also scored his 800th career point. Jaspers, with 105 games played, is the fourth U-Mary player to play 100 games during the school's NCAA era (2006-07 season onward). The only others are Eric Erdmann (116), Jordan Wilhelm (112) and Danny Sandvig (110). Now with 855 points, the Minneapolis, Minn., native is one of five Marauders to reach 800 career points in the NCAA era: Erdmann (1,642), Wilhelm (1,129), Anthony Moody (1,126) and Geoff West (801).

DECOSTE ON THE DRIVE
Germain Decoste continues to make big strides in recent weeks. the junior forward pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds in the Marauders 67-62 win at Minnesota Crookston and added eight points in the game. The following night he tied his career-high with 12 points at Bemidji State. He also had six rebounds in the game. Decoste has started the last 12 games for the Marauders and 13 this season, averaging 5.6 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 58.5 per cent from the field. Over the last nine games Decoste leads the team in rebounding (5.9) and field goal percentage (.636) and is third on the team in scoring (9.0).
 
THE FRESHMEN
Three different freshmen have started games this season for the Marauders. Guard Damonta Henry, fourth on the team in scoring at 8.3 points per game, has started seven times. Isaac Lindquist has four starts in the post and Luke Scott has one at guard.

HEROIC HENRY
Freshman Damonta Henry made probably the biggest shot of the season for the Marauders. With time running out and U-Mary down by two, Henry hit a runner in the lane with 1.3 seconds left in regulation to force overtime in what became an 87-83 double overtime win over St. Cloud State. After a recent scoring slump, the Chicago native posted 10 points against SCSU and 14 against UMD. He has now reached double figures in nine of his last 19 games. He posted his biggest night of the season with a 25 point outburst in an overtime loss to Augustana. Henry knocked down five treys in seven attempts and tied his career-high with three assists. The team leader with 30 three pointers, Henry averages 8.3 points per game, fourth best total on the Marauders. At the free throw line Henry is 29-of-37.

MUSUNGAYI MAKES THE MARK
Senior center Marc Musungayi ranks among Northern Sun leaders in several categories. For the season Musungayi is 18th in the NSIC in scoring (13.4 PPG), 16th in rebounding (5.8 RPG), 14th in field goal percentage (.538) and 13th in blocks (1.0 BPG).

MAKING SHOTS
Two Marauders are among the Northern Sun leaders in field goal percentage. Senior guard Jalen Jaspers is eight (.561) in the NSIC and senior forward Marc Musungayi is 14th at .538.

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