Box Score Bismarck, N.D. – University of Mary freshman Damonta Henry forced overtime with a three-pointer with six seconds remaining in regulation but the visiting University of Sioux Falls captured the contest at the free throw line in a 79-71 Cougars win.
 
The Cougars outscored the Marauders 12-4 in overtime, producing all of their points at the free throw line. Perfect in its 12 attempts at the stripe, USF (14-10 overall / 11-9 Northern Sun) missed all three of its field goal attempts. Jalen Jaspers recorded the only field goal of the extra session as U-Mary (7-18 / 5-15) finished 1-for-9 from the field and 2-for-6 at the free throw line.
 
U-Mary struggled at the free throw line all night, finishing 16-of-30. After intermission the Marauders were 7-of-18 on free throws. The Cougars finished the game 31-of-36 at the line.
 
The Marauders trailed by as many as 12 points in the opening half and never led in the game until forging ahead 45-44 on an Isaac Lindquist offensive putback with 12 minutes remaining in the game.
 
The Cougars soon surged back, using a 13-3 run to create a 57-51 advantage with under six minutes remaining.
 
Slowly the Marauders crept back into the game before exploding in the final minute of play. Chris Mason made a second of two free throws with 41 seconds to creep within three. After Jordan Stotts made 1-of-2 free thows, Mason drilled a three off a Henry assist to cut the gap to 64-63 at the 0:38 mark.
 
Charles Ward increased the USF lead to three before freshman forward Bryan Jefferson, who scored a career-high 11 points, went 1-for-2 at the line to pull U-Mary within 64-62. USF center Bryan Kielpinski followed by making 1-of-2 free throws for a 67-64 lead with 15 seconds left but keeping the door open for Henry's heroics.
 
Henry, who forced overtime earlier this season with a last second basket against St. Cloud State University, drilled a three-pointer from the right wing over the outstretched arms of a Cougars defender with six seconds left in regulation.
 
The Cougars scored the first six points of overtime, all at the free throw line, before Jaspers hit one of two free throws to snap the Sioux Falls scoring string.
 
Ward salted away the game for USF in the final 40 seconds. After making the first two of six straight free throws, Jaspers followed with the lone field goal of overtime by either team, connecting with 25 seconds remaining. Ward replied with two more freebies for a 77-70 lead before Jaspers went 1-of-2 at the line with eight seconds remaining in the game. Ward converted his final two free throws with seven seconds to ensure the win for USF.
 
One of three U-Mary seniors playing their final game at the McDowell Activity Center, Marc Musungayi tied for game-high scoring honors with 16 points. He also had four rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Jaspers, also a senior, scored 13 points and distributed three assists. The third senior, Mike Johnson, made his only trey attempt and scored three points.
 
Two other Marauders also breached double figures as Jefferson and Mason both chipped in 11 points. Jefferson added six rebounds and Mason had two steals.
 
Henry finished with seven points, six rebounds and two assists. Freshman Luke Scott had four points, three assists and a career-high 10 assists.
 
Mahlon Jones led USF with 16 points. He was 9-of-11 at the free throw line and had seven rebounds. Derek Brown scored 13 points and hit three treys. Ward finished with 12 points. 0-for-9 from the floor, he was 12-of-12 at the free throw line.
 
For the second straight game and fourth time this season the Marauders held a team below 40 per cent shooting. The Cougars made just 35.6 per cent of its field goal attempts, including a 6-of-23 effort behind the arc. U-Mary shot 41.7 per cent overall. The Marauders also held a 41-39 edge in rebounds.
 
U-Mary closes out the 2013-14 regular season on the road, visiting Northern State University and MSU Moorhead on February 21-22.
 
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