FARGO, N.D. – Falling behind early to a squad coming off two straight NCAA Division I basketball tournament appearances certainly wasn't part of the game plan for University of Mary head men's basketball coach
Joe Kittell. Returning to his alma mater in his first year with the Marauders, U-Mary tumbled 91-58 at North Dakota State University in its second and final exhibition game of the season.
A fast start by the Bison allowed NDSU to jump out to an early 16-2 lead in the first five minutes. Down 5-0,
Marquealis Edwards put the Marauders on the board with a jumper. NDSU followed with an 11-0 run. A basket by
Damonta Henry and free throws by
Brandon Tyler eventually pulled the Marauders within ten points at 16-6.
Continuing to battle, U-Mary eventually pulled within single digits on an 8-2 run midway through the first half. After Edwards,
Rickey Suggs and
Erron Collins each hit a pair of free throws, a
Devan Douglas steal and layup brought the Marauders within 29-21 with 8:42 on the clock.
The Bison then turned up the pressure and grew their lead to 48-28 at intermission before outscoring the Marauders 43-30 in the second half.
Edwards led the Marauders with 12 points, hitting all five free throw attempts. Brendan Tyler hit two treys and scored 11 points. Suggs came off the bench and chipped in ten points, making all four of his field goal shots. He tied
Bryan Jefferson for team-high rebounding honors with five.
Nine of 11 U-Mary players scored in the game. Jefferson and Henry each added seven points,
Isaac Lindquist six, Douglas and Collins two each and
Michael Gorder one.
Paul Miller led the Bison with 21 points, including three treys. A.J. Jacobson added four three pointers and 17 points and Deng Geu posted 10 points.
NDSU shot 53 percent from the floor and 45 percent behind the arc while U-Mary shot 33 and 24 percent, respectively. The Marauders did hold an 11-7 edge in steals.
The Marauders, who defeated Dickinson State University 88-66 on Tuesday night in an exhibition game, next begin regular season play. U-Mary will play a pair of regional games in Dallas, first facing Henderson State University before taking in Southern Arkansas University.
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