WINONA, MN – Another big night from Bryan Jefferson and Damonta Henry went for naught as the University of Mary men's basketball team fell short 85-79 at Winona State University.
 
One night after combining to score 43 points against Upper Iowa, Jefferson and Henry upped their output to 48 against the Warriors. Henry tied his career-high with 26 points and Jefferson struck for 22.
 
Henry hit a three-pointer to open the scoring and Jefferson struck for six points to lead Mary (8-14 overall, 6-10 NSIC) to an early 11-8 lead. Baskets by Riley Bambenek and Kyle Bauman soon pushed Winona State (10-10, 7-9) ahead for the first time at 12-11 and the Warriors played from out front the rest of the evening.
 
Playing shorthanded without the Marauders third-leading scorer in Rickey Suggs, Mary trailed by as many as 13 in the opening half before pulling within 39-35 early in the second.
 
Attempting to overcome another double-digit deficit, Mary closed within 77-75 on a pair of Henry free throws with just two minutes remaining. Bambenek immediately responded with a 3-pointer for WSU. After two more Henry free throws with 1:29 on the clock to make it a one possession game, the Marauders registered a defensive stop but couldn't find the basket on the offensive end.
 
Isaiah Greene pushed the WSU lead to 81-77 but Jefferson hit a layup off a Pat Thomas feed to close within two with 22 seconds left. Forced to foul, the Marauders sent Josh Mongan to the line where he made both free throws.
 
Down to 20 seconds remaining and needing two scores plus a defensive stop, the Marauders hopes to win for the first time at McCown Gym went to the wayside after committing a turnover and two more free throws by Gray.
 
A big night at the free throw line kept the Marauders in the contest. Mary was 26-of-32 while Winona State finished 16-of-21.
 
Henry made two treys, was 6-for-7 at the line and added four steals to his 26 points.
 
Jefferson picked up his third double double of the season, adding 11 rebounds to his 22 points. He was 6-of-9 from the field and 10-of-11 on free throws.
 
Isaac Lindquist added 12 points with a 5-for-7 effort on field goals. Thomas had eight points and six assists.
 
Gray led Winona State with 19 points and Bambenek, Bauman and Tommy Gathje added 16.
 
The Marauders return home to start a 4-game home stand against Sioux Falls on Friday, Feb. 3.
 
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