BISMARCK, ND – Exploding out of the locker room after halftime, the University of Mary opened the second half with a 17-2 run and outlasted visiting Peru State University 96-78 in the Marauders final non-conference game of the season.
Damonta Henry hit three treys during the Marauders run to open the second half and finished the game with a team-high 16 points. The senior guard hit 4-of-6 treys in the contest and was 6-of-12 overall from the field.
Pat Thomas also had a stellar night for Mary. The senior guard scored 15 points, dished eight assists and hauled down eight boards. Thomas knocked down two treys on the night.
Three other Marauders also hit double digits in scoring as Mary posted a season-high figure for points.
Isaac Lindquist made 5-of-7 shots and scored 10 points. Off the bench
Luke Scott hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points and
Rickey Suggs added 11. Additionally
Michael Gorder dropped 4-of-5 shots and scored eight points as Mary's reserves outscored Peru State's bench by a count of 38-15.
The Marauders other two starters also had strong performances. All-conference forward
Bryan Jefferson joined Thomas in almost recording a triple double, scoring nine points, grabbing nine rebounds and distributing eight assists.
Trevor Zacher chipped in eight points and four rebounds.
Mary connected on 51.4 percent of its shots, including an 11-of-22 effort behind the arc. Peru State shot 44.2 percent for the game but was solid at the line. The Bobcats made 24-of-32 free throws while the Marauders were 11-of-17.
Lyle Hexom paced the Bobcats with 24 points and 10 rebounds. He was 11-of-15 at the line and added three blocks. Rashad Brackeen added 20 points.
A tight game throughout the first half, the Marauders led by as many as eight points before the Bobcats snared a 41-36 lead with just over a minute left before intermission. A basket by Lindquist, a Thomas free throw and a Scott layup in the span of 63 allowed the Marauders to tie the game 41-41 at intermission, setting up a big run to kick off second half.
Henry drilled a trey to start the second half for Mary. After a Hexom basket, Henry and Zacher followed with 3-pointers to stun the Bobcats. Lindquist followed with a jumper, forcing PSC to call a time out. The stoppage in play didn't slow the Marauders as Jefferson followed with a free throw, Henry another trey and two free throws by Suggs built the Mary lead to 58-43.
Twice the Bobcats closed within nine points but both times the Marauders immediately responded, including an 18-6 run to build a 21-point cushion late in the game.
The Marauders-Bobcats game was played a day later than originally planned, delayed due to blizzard conditions. Mary improves to 4-5 overall, winning four of its last six and three out of four. This was an exhibition game for NAIA-member Peru State.
Mary remains at home for the Marauders first Northern Sun weekend doubleheader of the season when Wayne State College and #21/10 Augustana University visit on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10.
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