BISMARCK, ND – Bryan Jefferson scored a game-high 19 points and Rickey Suggs contributed 16 points off the bench to lead the University of Mary to an 85-78 win over visiting Wayne State College. The Northern Sun victory extended the Marauders win streak to three games.
 
"We had a slow start to the game but that was short-lived; it just seemed to last longer than it really did," said Marauders head coach Joe Kittell. "We found what we needed to attack, made the adjustment and converted a lot of high-percentage shots. Our guys really grinded out this win tonight. We didn't turn the ball over in high-pressure situations late in the game and made some big shots. Once we built a lead we were able to turn the game over to our defense."

The win evens the Marauders record at 5-5 overall with a 3-1 mark in NSIC play. The Wildcats are 2-7 and 1-3.
 
Limited to just 18 minutes due to foul trouble, Jefferson was unstoppable inside for the Marauders. The senior all-conference forward hit 9-of-12 shots, including his lone 3-point attempt, and added four rebounds before fouling out of the game. Mary outscored Wayne State 38-26 in the paint.
 
Suggs provided first half scoring energy for the Marauders and finished with a season-high 16 points. He was 6-of-10 shooting and snared a team-high eight rebounds. The Mary reserves outscored the Wayne State bench 27-16, helped by seven points from Erron Collins, also a season-high.
 
Two other Marauders also reached double figures. Pat Thomas scored a season-high 17 points, making six free throws and hitting 5-of-8 field goals. The senior guard also led Mary with three assists and three steals. Backcourt mate Damota Henry added 15 points, making 8-of-9 free throws.
 
Down by eight early, baskets by Jefferson and Suggs kept the Marauders in the contest. After a Jefferson trey gave Mary its first lead of the night at 18-16, a three-point play by Henry gave the Marauders a 25-21 advantage. The Wildcats regained their lead and entered intermission up 37-36.
 
Mary came out on fire to open the second half. Henry hit a three to start a 12-4 run, capped by a Suggs steal that turned into a breakaway dunk to bring Marauders fans to their feet.
 
Eventually the Wildcats knotted the game at 48-48 but another dunk, this time by Jefferson, sparked a 19-6 Marauders run. Capped by a Thomas three-point play, Mary pushed its advantage to 67-54 and maintained a lead the rest of the night.
 
Wayne State closed within seven points a couple times but Mary maintained its composure and knocked down free throws the rest of the night. Seventeen of the Marauders final 19 points were scored at the free throw line. After making both of its free throw attempts in the first half, Mary finished the game 25-of-33 at the line. Both attempts and makes are a season-high.
 
The Marauders shot 57.1 percent from the floor while limiting the Wildcats to 47.5 percent. Wayne State made eight treys to four for Mary but the Marauders held a 25-14 advantage in made free throws.
 
Mary closes its three-game home stand against defending national champion and 21^st ranked Augustana on Saturday, Dec. 10. Game time is 6 pm at the McDowell Activity Center. It is also the Marauders last home game until January.
 
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