FAYETTE, Iowa – Saturday night success continued in the New Year for the University of Mary men's basketball teams as the Marauders defense dominated high-powered Upper Iowa University in a 69-56 road win.
The Marauders are now 3-for-3 on Saturday nights in 2015. And while U-Mary earning a win at Upper Iowa may not have been shocking, how the Marauders won may have been. The top scoring team in the Northern Sun, the Peacocks had posted 100 points or more in three straight games. The 56 points was 30 points below Upper Iowa's average and its lowest point production of the season.
Perhaps the best U-Mary defensive effort of the season, the Marauders held the Peacocks to 30 percent shooting for the game. Upper Iowa made 10-of-25 shots in the first half before connecting on just 8-of-35 attempts in the second half as U-Mary turned up the defensive pressure.
In an opening half that featured four ties and 13 lead changes, an
Alex Anderson hit a jumper to push U-Mary in front 29-28 with over three minutes remaining in the first half. The Marauders remained in front the rest of the night.
Unable to break away from the Peacocks in the second half, the Marauders used a 12-2 run to build a double digit lead.
Chris Mason and
Marquealis Edwards each scored four points during the run as U-Mary moved ahead 57-44.
The Peacocks managed to close within seven points but never challenged further as the Marauders scored eight of the final ten points of the game.
Posting his second double double of the season, Edwards led all players with 17 points and ten rebounds. He also had three assists. The junior guard was 7-of-10 from the floor and finished 2-of-3 behind the arc.
Three other Marauders also reached double figures in points.
Bryan Jefferson made 6-of-8 shots and scored 12 points. He added eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Jermain Decoste hit 5-of-7 shots, scored 10 points and recorded five rebounds.
Damonta Henry chipped in 10 points off the bench, sinking two treys in three tries.
Jimmy Roth scored 13 points for the Peacocks.
The Marauders shot 50 percent from the field, including 6-of-12 behind the arc. U-Mary held a 42-35 edge on the boards.
U-Mary now returns home for a four-game home stand, first facing St. Cloud State University on Friday, Jan. 23.
#marauders#
