BISMARCK, N.D. - A hard-fought game of tit-for-tat spiraled out of control quickly at the end of the fourth quarter tonight as the University of Mary Women's Basketball team hosted Minot State University on the backend of a home-and-home series.
 
The Marauders (7-7, 1-5 NSIC) were clinging to a one-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but a 12-2 run from the Beavers (6-6, 3-3 NSIC) dashed any hopes of revenge as U-Mary fell before their rivals from the north in a 75-67 decision.
 
Good ball movement and consistent shooting punctuated the first half for U-Mary as they shot 46.6% from the floor (14-for-30) only to be matched by Minot State shooting 45.7% (16-for-35) for a 36-30 advantage favoring the Beavers.
 
Both teams swapped baskets back-and-forth to begin the first quarter with the Marauders on top at 11-10 with four minutes remaining. An 8-0 run from the Beavers ensured that lead would not hold as Minot State took ahold of the momentum with an 18-11 decision at the 1:30 mark of the frame.
 
U-Mary responded quickly, however, as Isabel Schmelzer made back-to-back layups to break the full-court press and close out the quarter down 18-15.
 
The Marauders struggled to get over the proverbial hump early in the second as Minot State held a 28-23 lead at the midway point. U-Mary quickly closed the gap as another jumper from Schmelzer, followed by a three-point from Dani Williams, tied the score at 28-28 with 4:17 to go. The Beavers were incredibly resilient, unfortunately, as they closed out the half on an 8-2 run that kept the Marauders trailing at 36-30 going into break.
 
Minot State kept the pressure up as they matched the Marauders on every shot for a 42-35 lead at the 6:55 mark of the third quarter, but two consecutive triples from Haley Hibbs kick-started a 10-2 U-Mary run to stay hot on Minot State's heels at 45-44 with 3:20 remaining.
 
The Beavers tried to squirm away with a pair of free throws and a running layup to regain the lead, but Brittney Dietz took matters into her own hands as she scored the final six points of the quarter for U-Mary off four free throws and a driving layup to keep the Beavers at bay with a 53-52 lead favoring the home team.
 
Minot State tried to pull away at the start of the fourth with four free throws and a layup from Alex Haley, but Dietz teamed up with Hannah Larson to keep the Marauders within striking distance and a 59-58 lead at the 5:32 mark of the final frame.
 
Alas, a three-pointer from Sarah Lester tipped off the crucial 12-2 run in the period as U-Mary suddenly went cold from the field after missing five straight shots and only making two of four free throws while facing a 70-61 deficit in the final 54 seconds of regulation.
 
The Marauders went into desperation mode with a collection of fouls to keep the Beavers close, but their efforts were in vain as Minot State sunk five of six free throws to close out the game and send U-Mary to the .500 mark with a 75-67 loss.
 
Brittney Dietz maintained her torrid pace with 22 points on 9-for-18 shooting from the field, while grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out five assists and getting a hand on two steals in 39 minutes played.
 
Hannah Larson had a productive night with nine points and 13 rebounds to go with a season-high four blocks in 35 minutes of action.
 
Dani Williams had the hot hand from the perimeter as she nailed three of four three-pointers for 11 points before fouling out after 29 minutes on the court.
 
Rachel Weir got her fifth consecutive start and finished with nine points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 27 minutes of game time.
 
Isabel Schmelzer provided the spark off the bench with eight points and six rebounds in 22 minutes, while Haley Hibbs added another look from long-range with six points, four rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes.
 
The Marauders have next week off and will resume action on the court next year on Saturday, January 2, 2016, when they host the University of Minnesota Crookston starting at 4:00 PM in the McDowell Activity Center.
 
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