BISMARCK, N.D. – The top shooting team in the Northern Sun failed to live up to its reputation. The University of Mary men's basketball team posted season lows in shooting percentage and points scored in a 64-54 home loss to Winona State University.
Despite suffering back-to-back losses for the first time all season, the Marauders remain third in the Northern Sun North Division and fourth overall in the NSIC. U-Mary is 13-4 overall and 8-3 in the league. Winona State, 7-8 overall and 6-5 in the NSIC, stands tied for sixth overall.
U-Mary opened the night missing 14 of its first 17 shots against a rugged Winona State defense and the rest of the night didn't get much better. Entering the game clicking at 50.1 percent, the Marauders shot just 19.4 percent in the first half and finished the night at 28.8 percent, a season low. The team hit 19-of-66 shots overall and went 5-of-20 behind the arc.
The Warriors converted shots at a little better rate, making 39.7 percent of their attempts, including a 6-for-26 effort on treys.
Both teams struggled early. At the first media time out nearly seven minutes into the game WSU led U-Mary 3-2. Soon down 17-10, the Marauders went on an 8-0 run capped by a
Devan Douglas layup of an offensive rebound for U-Mary's second lead of the night.
Trailing 22-20 at intermission,
Brandon Tyler opened the second half with a 3-pointer to give the Marauders their third and final lead of the evening. After
Bryan Jefferson hit a free throw to increase the Marauders advantage to 24-22, a Mark Blacklock trey gave the lead back to the Warriors, a lead Winona State refused to relinquish the rest of the game.
Three straight baskets by Mark Bauman soon provided Winona State a 39-31 advantage with 13:15 left in the game. A pair of treys by
Damonta Henry pulled the Marauders within 39-37 but U-Mary couldn't maintain its surge. Winona State responded with a 13-2 run, featuring points from five different players.
The deficit remained in double figures until a Jefferson layup pulled the Marauders within 59-51 and 1:06 left on the clock. The Warriors responded by hitting 5-of-6 free throws in the final 37 seconds to keep the Marauders at bay.
Henry led the Marauders in scoring with 13 points. The junior guard came off the bench to make 3-of-4 trey attempts and 5-of-8 shots overall. Jefferson added 13 points and six rebounds.
Marquealis Edwards had 11 points, six rebounds and three assists for U-Mary.
Isaac Lindquist pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds and scored six points.
Bauman led all players with 18 points and four rebounds for Winona State. Isaiah Gray chipped in 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists in a reserve role.
The Marauders close their weekend home stand with a visit from Upper Iowa University on Saturday, January 16. Tip off is set for 6 p.m.
#marauders
