BISMARCK, N.D. - A methodical first half by the University of Mary Women's basketball team wasn't enough to slow #23 Wayne State College as the Marauders ran aground in the second half and fell to the Wildcats 68-60.
 
The first half started off slow as neither team could find the basket in the early goings; the Wildcats got off a layup and three-pointer while the Marauders responded with a three-pointer of their own to stay close behind 5-3 at the first media break. The nationally ranked Wildcats didn't phase u-Mary as the Marauders pulled off a 10-2 run to surge ahead 13-7 by the 11-minute mark.
 
Wayne State came right back with a few made shots of their own but the Marauders kept a good pace going and kept the lead 26-16 by the third media break. U-Mary held an 11-point lead with less than three minutes remaining but the Wildcats came roaring back near the end and a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Wayne State kept the score close at 31-24 in favor of the Marauders.
 
The second half turned into a different story as the Marauders struggled to get the offense in gear, Wayne State narrowed the gap to 35-32 by the first media break and pulled ahead at 13:32 with another three-pointer to put the Marauders down 37-35.
 
The Wildcats started to pull away but the Marauders were hardy enough to keep pace though U-Mary was still down by the third media break 58-49. Unfortunately, Wayne State's defense proved too much for the Marauders and U-Mary ended up falling 68-60 to the Wildcats.
 
Sloan Turner maintained her torrid pace as she finished with 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting. She also missed out on her third double double in a row but still managed nine rebounds and four blocks in 34 minutes played.
 
Hannah Larson provided the presence on the interior with 10 rebounds, six points, and three assists in 36 minutes on the floor.
 
Dani Williams continued her impressive play over the stretch as she finished with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 31 minutes played.
 
Brittney Dietz turned into the distributor for the game as she finished with eight points, seven assists, five rebounds and one steal in 40 minutes of action.
 
The Marauders (8-14, 6-10 NSIC) are back on the road next week when they travel to Mankato, Minn., to take on Minnesota State University on Friday, February 6.
 
#marauders#