Box Score Bismarck, N.D.—The University of Mary women's basketball (17-9) team defeated Winona State University (10-17) in the opening round of the NSIC / Sanford Health Women's Basketball Tournament Wednesday Night. Despite a furious second half effort by the Warriors, the Marauders held on for a 72-66 win in front of a sea of white in the stands.

McKenzie Foster led U-Mary with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooing, including a 3-of-5 effort from deep. Brittney Dietz was next in line for the Marauders with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

Abby Busch led WSU with 25 points and nine rebounds. Teammate Kelsey Andrist added 19 points on 5-of-7 3-point shooting.

The Marauders outshot the Warriors 45-39 percent. U-Mary was out rebounded 37-32, but held a 30-22 edge scoring inside. Committing a season-low eight turnovers, the Maruaders held a 15-7 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
U-Mary's defensive intensity was evident early on as they forced two early turnovers and held Winona State to 1-of-9 shooting to start the game. However, the Marauders offense got off to a slow start as they led by just one at the first media timeout.
 
Freshman Hannah Larson took control of the game out of the timeout scoring seven unanswered points to give U-Mary a 20-12 lead.  After a three by WSU, U-Mary scored six straight to build its lead to 11.
 
With U-Mary up by eight in the closing second of the opening half Dietz nailed a three from the left wing, but the Warriors Connor Nagle heaved a half court shot as time expired the cut the Marauders lead to 33-25 entering half.
 
Both U-Mary (5-of-9) and Winona State (4-of-10) shot the ball from deep well in the first half, but the Marauders outshot the Warriors 46 to 31 percent from the field.
 
U-Mary scored the first two baskets of the second half to take a 12 point lead, but WSU caught fire hitting 5-of-7, including 2-of-2 from deep, for a 14-4 run. The Marauders built their lead back up to seven, but 13-3 run by the Warriors gave them a 54-51 lead with 7:16 left to play.
 
Down 58-56, U-Mary scored seven unanswered points keyed by a Larson 3-point play to take a five point lead. The Marauders built their lead to as many as eight with 42 seconds to play, but three missed free throws by U-Mary allowed Winona State to cut the deficit to two with 17 seconds remaining.
 
With the Warriors forced to play the foul game, the Marauders sealed the game at the line as Lindsey Sand and Foster each went 2-of-2 in the final 15 seconds.
 
U-Mary went just 1-of-9 from deep in the second half to WSU's 5-of-9, but the Marauders aggressiveness made up for the discrepancy as they drew 14 second half fouls to the Warriors eight. U-Mary was 16-of-22 from the free throw line in the second half the Winona State's 8-of-9.
 
Linda Murray scored 12 points for the Marauders to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Larson added 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

With the win U-Mary will take on Minnesota State University-Mankato in NSIC the Quarterfinal. The Marauders and Mavericks will square off on Sunday at noon at the Sanford Health Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
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