BISMARCK, N.D. – In a battle between an established power in Minnesota State University and an up-and-comer in the University of Mary, the visiting Mavericks dug deep to edge the rising Marauders 76-71.
With two teams tussling for fourth place in the NSIC, the game featured 11 lead changes and 12 ties. Powered by a slightly stronger inside attack, the Mavericks hauled down 10 more rebounds than the Marauders (44-34) and went to the line ten more times (31-21), leading the traditional power to outscore U-Mary 13-3 in the final 3:50 of the contest.
The Marauders are 14-9 overall and 9-8 in the NSIC, sitting in a two-way tie for third in the North division and a four-way tie for sixth overall. The Mavericks are 16-7 overall and 11-6 in conference, good for a third-place tie overall and second place in the South division. .
A rugged first half concluded with the Marauders taking a 31-29 lead into intermission after
Marquealis Edwards nailed a 3-pointer with just under a minute left to play.
The Mavericks tried to make a move midway through the second half. A 10-0 Minnesota State run, featuring points from five different players, gave the visitor's a 53-46 lead.
Failing to fade, the Marauders instead turned the ball over to Edwards. The senior guard started a Marauders 10-0 run with a conventional 3-point play, getting fouled while making the layup and adding the free throw. After a layup by
Bryan Jefferson, Edwards knocked down treys on two straight U-Mary possessions for a Marauders 57-54 lead.
Alex Herlink responded with a 3-pointer to knot the contest for Minnesota State. The Mavericks grew their advantage to four after a trey and two free throws by Jalen Pendleton.
The Marauders made one final effort to take control of the game. Down 62-58, U-Mary used free throws to climb within one. After a Mavericks free throw,
Rickey Suggs knotted the game at 63-63 with a tip in off an offensive rebound. A Jefferson free throw pushed the Marauders advantage to three before
Brandon Tyler hit a 3-ball for a 67-63 lead with 3:30 left in the game.
The rest of the night belonged to the Mavericks. A three-point play by Jon Fuqua closed the gap to a point. Four straight free throws by Pendleton increased the Minnesota State to 70-67 with 1:25 remaining. While MSU was on a 7-0 run, U-Mary missed two free throws and three field goal attempts.
Isaac Lindquist finally put the Marauders back on the scoreboard with two free throws with 1:09 remaining, cutting the gap to 70-69.
With U-Mary needing a defensive stop, Minnesota State just found a way to win. After Joey Witthus hit a jumper for MSU with 46 seconds left, Edwards responded with a layup to keep U-Mary within 72-71 with 40 seconds on the clock. Keeping the Marauders again at bay, Pendleton hit a layup at 0:15 for a 74-71 lead.
Looking for a three to tie the game, the Mavericks defense instead forced the Marauders to go inside but U-Mary failed to score. Fouled on the rebound, Wittus closed the game with two free throws.
In the last 3:50 of the game the Mavericks went 3-for-3 from the field, made 7-of-7 free throws and committed just one turnover. The Marauders were 1-for-5 on field goals and 2-for-4 on free throws.
Minnesota State held a 12-4 edge in points off turnovers, a 16-9 lead in second chance points, and a 36-22 points advantage in the paint.
Jefferson led the Marauders with 18 points. The junior forward had seven rebounds and three assists. Edwards hit three treys, scored 17 points, added seven rebounds and five assists. Lindquist added 10 points.
Pendleton scored 28 points for the Mavericks, hauled down eight rebounds and added five assists. Fuqua recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds.
The Marauders next host Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, February 6. Game time is 4 p.m.
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