Box Score MOORHEAD, Minn.—The University of Mary women's basketball team (16-9, 14-8 NSIC) finished the 2014 regular season on a high-note with a convincing win over Minnesota State University Moorhead (16-10, 12-10). The Marauders led by double digits nearly the entire game en route to a 78-62 win over the Dragons Saturday night.
 
Connecting at a .526 clip from the field, this is the fourth time the Marauders have shot better than .500 this season. In contrast, the Dragons shot their fourth worst percentage of the season at .317.
 
One of four players in double figures, Senior Lindsey Sand played potentially her best game of the season finishing with game-highs of 17 points and eight assists. Freshman Hannah Larson scored 13 points and blocked a U-Mary NCAA era (2006-present) record eight shots.
 
Morgan Zabel finished with a team-high 13 points for MSUM and Megan Strese added 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
 
After a slow start last night, U-Mary rebounded Saturday building a 13 point lead just over five minute into the game with an 18-2 run keyed by back-to-back three from Larson. After surrendering a lay-up on the following possession, the Marauders scored 11 unanswered points, five of which came from Dani Clarke, to open their lead to 29-7.
 
Down, but not out, the Dragons ignited for a 22-5 run to pull within five with 5:11 left until half. However, U-Mary was able to build its lead back up to 10 as Brittney Dietz hit a 3-pointer at the end of the half to give the Marauders a 44-34 lead entering intermission.
 
Instrumental to U-Mary's first half success was its 8-of-16 performance from beyond the arc.
 
The Marauders started the second half strong as well quickly opening a 20 point lead. Again the Dragons hung tough, this time cutting the lead to 10 with 6:17 left to play. U-Mary held off MSUM's comeback as it went on to win 78-62.
 
After attempting 16 threes in the first half, the Marauders attempted just three in the second going 0-of-3. However, U-Mary outshot MSUM 54-25 percent from the field in the second half.
 
The Marauders finished with a U-Mary NCAA record 13 blocks.
 
Linda Murray and Dietz each scored 12 points. Sloan Turner finished with a game-high 10 rebounds off the bench and added three blocks.
 
The No. 3 seed in the NSIC North, U-Mary will host the No. 6 seed in the NSIC South, Winona State University, on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. to open the 2014 NSIC / Sanford Health Women's Basketball Tournament.
 
Click HERE for official bracket.