BISMARCK, N.D. – A hardscrabble game early against one of the nation's top teams, the University of Mary stayed within striking distance much of the first half before 13^th ranked MSU Moorhead found its form and pulled away for an 81-52 Dragons win over the homestanding Marauders.
 
After two Germain Decoste free throws pulled the Marauders (3-10 overall, 1-8 NSIC) within 23-18 with just over five minutes remaining in the first half, the Dragons (17-1, 8-1) went on an 11-0 run and entered intermission leading 37-26. 
 
The top offensive team in the Northern Sun found its 3-point game early in the second half. MSUM knocked down six straight treys during a 25-10 run to build a 64-38 advantage.
 
The only U-Mary player to reach double figures in scoring, Decoste led the Marauders with 11 points and five rebounds. The senior forward had a game-high three blocks.
 
Damonta Henry and Marquealis Edwards both had nine points for the Marauders and Jaycob Velasco added seven off the bench. Edwards also had four assists.
 
Aaron Lien led all players with 20 points for MSUM. He was 4-of-7 behind the arc and had six rebounds. Jordan Riewer scored 16 points for the Dragons, making 4-of-6 trey attempts and distributing nine assists.
 
U-Mary shot just 39.3 percent for the game while MSUM converted 46.7 percent of its field goal attempts. The Dragons had big edges behind the arc and at the line, making 12-of-27 trey attempts – including 8-of-15 in the second half – and 13-of-21 free throws. The Marauders were 3-of-17 behind the arc and 5-of-8 at the free throw line.
 
The Marauders next host Northern State University on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m.
 
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