BISMARCK, ND – A dominant fourth quarter by the University of Mary women's basketball team and an explosive game by sophomore forward
Cassie Askvig propelled the Marauders to a 65-51 win over the visiting University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. The victory is the second straight for the Marauders, both wins coming at home against Northern Sun opposition.
Askvig scored a game-high 25 points for the Marauders, tying her career-high. She also led all players with 18 rebounds and five blocked shots, also career-bests. The 18 rebounds ties UMary's NCAA-era record, established by Cassandra Kelsch against Minnesota State on February 27, 2010, and equaled by Sloan Turner against Minnesota Duluth on January 24, 2015.
Additionally, Askvig was 9-of-15 from the field and 6-of-7 at the free throw line. She also had two assists.
Gabbie Bohl joined Askvig with a double double. The sophomore forward, also from Minot, ND, had 14 points and ten rebounds. She blocked four shots and distributed three assists. Askvig and Bohl led the Marauders to post a 38-8 edge over the Bulldogs in points in the paint.
Dani Williams just missed double figures with nine points. She added three assists and four rebounds.
Lauren Rotunda snared nine rebounds, scored five points, posted four assists and blocked two shots.
Emma Boehm paced the Bulldogs with 10 points. She also had four assists before fouling out.
In a game that featured 10 lead changes and a tie, the Marauders (6-7 overall, 2-5 NSIC) grabbed a 47-46 lead early in the fourth quarter on an Askvig jumper. UMary dominated the rest of the game, outscoring UMD 20-5 in the final seven minutes of the game.
Williams followed Askvig's basket with her lone 3-pointer of the night before Sarah Grow responded with a layup to close the gap to 50-48. Baskets by Bohl and Williams created some separation before UMD's Ann Simonet kept the spread at four points.
Christal Hearn scored the next three points of the game to virtually seal the UMary victory, making a free throw before hitting a layup off a feed from Bohl on the Marauders next possession for a 57-50 lead.
UMary's defense then slammed the door shut. After UMD (7-3, 4-2) scored its final point of the game at 2:48 on a free throw by Grow, the Bulldogs missed their next six shots. The Marauders closed out the game in style, scoring the final eight points, including four straight free throws in the final 37 seconds.
The Marauders limited the Bulldogs to a shooting percentage of just 28.8 percent for the game. UMary shot 43.9 percent from the floor. Also dominant on the boards, UMary held a 53-30 advantage.
UMary next hosts St. Cloud State University on Sunday, December 31, at 2 pm.
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