FAYETTE, IA – Looking to upset Northern Sun South division leader Upper Iowa, the University of Mary pushed the Peacocks to the brink behind a combined 43 points from seniors Damonta Henry and Bryan Jefferson. The efforts of the two 1,000 point career scorers still left the Marauders just short in an 87-78 road loss to the Peacocks. 
 
In a game that witnessed the lead change hands eight times with eight ties, the Marauders looked poised for the upset after overcoming a double digit second half deficit to regain the advantage.
 
Trailing 53-42, the Marauders (8-13 overall, 6-9 NSIC) fought back to tie the game at 61-61 on a pair of Henry free throws. After the Peacocks (15-6, 12-3) surged back ahead for a seven-point lead, baskets from Jaylan White and Jefferson in the paint and a trey by Luke Scott put Mary within striking distance. Henry finished a 10-2 Marauders run with a 3-pointer to push the visitors in front 71-70 with over four minutes remaining in the game.
 
Those last four minutes belonged to the Peacocks. Luke Lenhart knocked down a pair of free throws to push Upper Iowa in front by a point. After a Mary turnover, Lenhart then knocked down a 3-pointer and the Peacocks played from out in front the rest of the game.
 
Mary hit just 2-of-9 shots the rest of the game, layups by Henry on back-to-back possessions that allowed the Marauders to climb within seven points. The Peacocks sealed their win by making ten straight free throws during one stretch and 14-of-18 in the final four minutes. 
 
Henry came off the bench to score 24 points for the Marauders, making 9-of-15 field goal attempts and 3-of-6 shots from behind the arc. Jefferson was 6-of-9 shooting from the field, made 7-of-9 free throw attempts and hauled down nine rebounds. He also added three assists.
 
Pat Thomas chipped in nine points, five rebounds and four assists for Mary Isaac Lindquist had eight rebounds and four points.
 
Lenhart had a game-high 28 points for Upper Iowa. Dennis Austin III and Jace Hanna both added 12.
 
The NSIC leader in turnover margin, Mary found itself on the short end tonight, committing 17 and forcing just 12. Upper Iowa turned the advantage into a 25-10 edge in points off turnovers and a 15-6 edge in fast break points.
 
The Marauders conclude their weekend road trip at Winona State University on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 6 pm.
 
#marauders#