KANSAS CITY, MO – Facing one of the nation's top teams in the season opener, the University of Mary women's basketball looked in great shape through three quarters. The final stanza, however, proved problematic as #11 University of Central Missouri rallied to defeat the Marauders 69-58 at the Central Region Challenge.
 
"We played great for 3 ½ quarters and then a lid must have gone on the basket," said Marauders head coach Rick Neumann. "Gabbie Bohl playing just 19 minutes due to fouls was a big key. We made seven treys in the first half and zero in the second. We also didn't score in the last 4:34 of the game.
 
"Overall I was pleased with our effort against a great, veteran team. We just committed too many turnovers in the final quarter that led to their 21 points."
 
The Marauders frontcourt provided a challenge for the Jennies as Cassie Askvig and Gabbie Bohl combined for 31 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks.
 
Askvig had a big opener for the Marauders, pairing 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. The sophomore forward hit a pair of treys in the game and added two blocks.
 
Limited by foul issues, Bohl added 16 points and three rebounds in 19 minutes. The sophomore forward also had three blocks before fouling out of the game with over five minutes to play.
 
Senior guard Dani Williams connected on three treys and added 11 points. Freshman guard Macy Williams added two 3-pointers and scored eight points. She also had three assists.
 
Sydney Crockett scored a game-high 18 points off the bench for the Jennies, making all three of her shots behind the arc and finishing 5-of-6 overall. All-American Megan Skaggs and Paige Redmond both added 12.
 
Down seven points at the end of the first quarter, the Marauders found their footing in the second. Capped by an Askvig trey, the Marauders used a 15-2 run to claim a 29-24 advantage. A three-point play by Askvig and a pair of baskets in the final 62 seconds from Bohl gave UMary a 35-29 advantage at the half.
 
UMary started strong in the third, climbing to a 47-40 lead after two Christal Hearn free throws. Though Central Missouri cut into the UMary advantage and tied the game 50-50 in the fourth, another Askvig three-point play and a Lauren Rotunda layup provided the Marauders a 55-52 advantage with just under nine minutes remaining.
 
The Jennies outscored the Marauders 17-3 the rest of the game. A 3-pointer by Crockett pushed Central Missouri in front 57-55 and the Jennies never relinquished the lead.
 
Central Missouri finished with a 21-4 edge in points off turnovers and a 26-2 advantage in bench points.
 
The Marauders next face Washburn University at 2:15 pm on Saturday, November 11, on day two of the Central Challenge.
 
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