BISMARCK, ND – Led by a career-high in scoring from freshman Matthew Kreklow, it was all hands on deck for the University of Mary men's basketball against visiting St. Cloud State University. Despite nine Marauders contributing in the scoring column, a late surge by the Huskies allowed SCSU to escape the McDowell Activity Center with a 77-66 win over UMary on New Year's Eve.
 
Overcoming a deficit of six points in the opening half, the Marauders (2-10 overall, 0-8 Northern Sun) led 33-32 at intermission. A 6-2 run to start the second half on baskets by Tom Kubank, Keith Hunter and Kreklow extended the UMary lead to 39-35. Never able to grow the lead to more than four points, the Marauders remained in front until Jon Averkamp evened the game at 50-50 with 10:54 remaining in the game.
 
After both teams took turns holding the lead, a Jaylan White steal and fast break basket allowed UMary to tie the game 55-55 with 8:55 to go. It was the seventh tie of the game.
 
Averkamp broke the tie with a layup at 8:32. It was the 13^th and final lead change of the game as the Huskies (9-4, 5-2) played from out front the rest of the contest.  
 
A pair of Connor Hellebust free throws with 5:39 on the clock closed the Marauders deficit to 61-59. Unable to get another defensive stop, Averkamp doubled the SCSU lead to four points. A pair of Gage Davis free throws soon pushed the Huskies lead to six.
 
Refusing to fade, a pair of Kreklow free throws allowed UMary to pull within 65-61 with under four minutes remaining in the game. The Huskies controlled the remainder of the game, outscoring the Marauders 12-4.
 
One of two players in double figures for the Marauders, Kreklow posted a career-high 17 points. He made 6-of-7 field goals and was 5-of-6 at the line. The freshman also had four rebounds.
 
Keith Hunter scored 12 points for UMary. He hit two treys, made all four free throws and had four rebounds.
 
Evan Anderson came off the bench to hit both his trey attempts and scored six points. Hellebust was 6-for-6 at the line and scored eight points in a reserve role. He also had four rebounds. Overall the Marauders bench outscored the Huskies reserves 25-17.
 
Averkamp led all players with 23 points for SCSU. He made 10-of-14 shots and had three steals. Sean Smith had 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Davis chipped in 21 points and eight rebounds.
 
Strong at the line, Unary made 20-of-23 free throw attempts while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor. The Marauders went 6-of-20 behind the arc. SCSU hit 51.9 percent of its shots, was 5-of-20 on treys and went 16-of-22 at the line.
 
After playing five of seven conference games at home, the Marauders return to the road to face Northern State University and MSU Moorhead on Friday and Saturday, January 5-6.
 
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