BISMARCK, N.D. - Featuring fresh faces for the first official game of the season, the University of Mary Women's Basketball team played host to Washburn University for the NSIC/MIAA Regional Crossover to tip-off the 2015-16 regular season.
 
The Marauders (0-1) fell behind early to the Ichabods (1-0) and struggled to recover as U-Mary fell in the non-conference opener, 63-50.
 
Featuring a new format for the season, the Marauders played four 10-minute quarters, instead of two 20-minute halves, with a slew of other rule changes that hope to increase the pace of women's basketball games.
 
That appeared to be the case early on as the Ichabods notched the first buckets of the game off an offensive rebound by Alyxis Bowens combined with the quick layup, and a short jumper from Felisha Gibbs to take a 4-0 lead in the first two minutes of the first quarter.
 
The Marauders responded quickly with two free throws from Hannah Larson, but it did little slow Washburn as they put together a 10-2 run to open up the game. U-Mary was able to narrow the gap late in the quarter off layups from Brittney Dietz and Haley Niles to make the score 14-10 in favor of the visitors, but Washburn responded with two baskets of their own to make the score 18-10 through the end of the quarter.
 
The Ichabods extended their lead to 23-12 early in the second quarter, but the Marauders fought right back with a 9-2 run spanning the next six minutes powered by four points from Dietz, two from Niles, and a three-pointer from Dani Clarke to close in at 25-21 in favor of the visitors.
 
Washburn rebuilt the cushion through the end of the quarter, however, with seven unanswered points to put the score at 32-21 going into halftime.
 
Both team traded buckets in the early minutes of the third quarter with Washburn still holding a 38-27 lead, but the Ichabods fired off a 10-0 run that lasted until the 3:46 mark to take a commanding 48-27 lead over the Marauders. U-Mary would not be deterred, however, as they put together a 9-2 run that closed out the quarter off six points from Dietz and three from Hannah Larson to keep the score interesting at 50-36 going into the fourth.
 
The Marauders kept Washburn honest in the early goings of the final frame as they rallied off a 11-0 run after an opening three-pointer from the Ichabods, to close the gap at 53-47 off four points from Dietz, three from Dani Williams, and four from Larson. Washburn took the wind out of U-Mary's sails, unfortunately, as they held the Marauders to three points during the final 3:27 off a 10-3 run to hand U-Mary their first loss of the season at 63-50.
 
Brittney Dietz led all scorers with 22 points on 7-for-23 shooting, including a 7-for-8 mark from the free throw line, to go with six rebounds, two assists and one steal in 40 minutes played.
 
Hannah Larson provided the defensive look with two blocks and three steals to go with 10 points on 2-for-5 shooting, 6-for-8 form the charity stripe, six rebounds and five assists.
 
Isabel Schmelzer and Hayley Niles split time in the post as Schmelzer finished with five rebounds and four points, while Niles grabbed four boards and four points.
 
The Marauders will host Pittsburg State University tomorrow starting at 5:30 PM, at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
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