BISMARCK, N.D. - On the second day of the NSIC/MIAA Crossover, the University of Mary Women's Basketball team took on Pittsburg State University to wrap up the weekend series.
 
The Marauders (0-2) held the lead after the first quarter combined with a one-point deficit at the four-minute mark of the third quarter, but the Gorillas (2-0) matched every run for an eventual 62-49 win over U-Mary.
 
Dani Williams brought the offense early in the first quarter as she score the first six points of the game to give U-Mary a 6-0 lead, and the Marauders held that lead until the 5:38 mark of the quarter at 11-7 over Pittsburg State. The Gorillas responded with seven straight points, though to take over the lead at 13-11 only two minutes later at the 3:57 mark with the Marauders matching them point-for-point en route to an 18-16 score favoring the visitors.
 
U-Mary had the last say in the quarter as Dani Clarke sank back-to-back three-pointers, including a buzzer beater, to give the Marauders a 22-18 lead going into the second.
 
The lead wouldn't last as Pittsburg state fired off a 14-1 run at the start of the quarter that lasted until the 4:12 mark to take the air out of U-Mary's sails with a 34-23 momentum shifting lead change. The Marauders struggled to get the offense going through the remainder of the half as the Gorillas held the lead at 37-28 at the break.
 
Pittsburg State seemed to hold onto the momentum with the first two points of the third quarter, but the Marauders fought tooth-and-nail on a 10-0 run thanks to seven points from Dietz, two from Isabel Schmelzer, and one from Williams to close the gap at 39-38 at the 4:13 mark. The Gorillas wouldn't slow down, however, as they closed the quarter on a 10-2 run to hold onto the lead at 49-40 going into the final frame.
 
Pittsburg State opened up the fourth quarter with nine straight points over the Marauders to extend the lead out to 58-40. U-Mary fought back with an 8-2 run of their own thanks to Dietz who recorded three layups and two free throws, but she couldn't do it on her own as the Marauders ran out of time to drop the second game of the regular season at 62-49 to the Gorillas.
 
Brittney Dietz led all scorers once again with 28 points on 10-for-24 shooting and was one rebound shy of a double-double as she grabbed nine total, five on offense, during the afternoon. She also added two assists and two steals as she played all 40 minutes.
 
Dani Williams provided a helping hand with 11 points on 3-for-5 shooting, including two shots made from the perimeter. She also added four assists, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 35 minutes of action.
 
Hannah Larson provided the defensive look as she blocked three shots on the game, to go with six rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes played.
 
The Marauders will head out on the road early next week as they travel to Rapid City, S.D., on Wednesday, November 18, to take on South Dakota School of Mines, starting at 6:30 PM.
 
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