Box Score Bismarck, N.D.—The University of Mary women's basketball team (15-8, 13-7 NSIC) extended its winning streak to four and secured a home playoff game with a win over University of Sioux Falls (12-12, 8-12) in Northern Sun action Saturday evening. Behind 58 points from their seniors, the Marauders defeated the Cougars 78-75 on Senior Night.
 
Senior McKenzie Foster finished with a team-high 22 points including a 9-of-9 performance from the free throw line. Senior Linda Murray added 21 points and a career-high 16 rebounds. Murray also added four assists and three blocks.
 
Jaicee Ulmer finished with 26 points for USF off of the bench on 10-of-15 shooting.
 
The Marauders made five fewer field goals (22-of-59) than the Cougars (27-of-70), but U-Mary lived at the line going 27-of-39 to USF's 14-of-17. The Marauders were dominant on the glass outrebounding the Cougars 50-37.
 
Trailing by four early in the first half, U-Mary went on an 8-0 run keyed by back-to-back threes from Foster and Hannah Larson as it took an 18-14 lead. The Cougars tied the game at 19-19, but the Marauders answered with a 10-0 run that was highlighted by a corner three from senior Sudan Saunders and a three-point play by Foster. U-Mary extended the run to 19-4 to open its largest lead of the night at 15 with six minutes remaining.
 
USF closed strong in the first half with a 12-2 run to enter the break down 40-35.
 
Senior Lindsey Sand controlled the first half scoring all 14 of her points in the opening period, while adding five assists. 
 
Seniors Murray and Foster took over in the second half combining for 27 points. Murray converted inside for the first basket of the half and found Foster on the ensuing possession for three. The Cougars battled in the second half taking their first lead since 14-12 on an Ulmer three with 14:13 left to play. USF extended its lead to three, but U-Mary scored nine unanswered points to take a six-point lead.
 
The Cougars re-took the lead with 7:07 left to play and led most of the next four minutes.
 
With the game tied 72-72 with 2:29 left to play, U-Mary's defense held USF to 0-of-5 shooting as it took a six-point lead with 10 second remaining. The Cougars nailed a three at the buzzer, but it too little, too late as the Marauders held on for a 78-75 win.
 
U-Mary made just nine field goals in the second half, but was 18-of-26 from the free throw line. The Marauders outrebounded the Cougars 28-17 in the second half, lost he turnover battle 12-5.
 
Overall, the Marauders struggled to take care of the ball turning it over 20 times to the Cougars eight. However, U-Mary distributed the ball well recording an assist on 18 of its 2 baskets. USF had just eight assists on 27 field goals.
 
U-Mary will be conclude the regular season on the road next weekend as it takes on Northern State University on Friday and Minnesota State University Moorhead on Saturday. Securing a top-four seed and a home playoff game with their win Saturday, the Marauders can finish anywhere from first to fourth in the North Division heading into the final weekend of NSIC play.
 
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