THIS WEEKEND
The University of Mary men's basketball team is playing their first Northern Sun road doubleheader of the season when the Marauders visit Wayne State College and Augustana on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10. The weekend opens against the Wildcats in Wayne, NE, on Friday. Tipoff from Rice Auditorium is 8 pm. On Saturday the Marauders visit the Vikings in Sioux Falls, SD, at the Sioux Falls Arena. Game time is 6 pm.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Marauders opened last weekend with an 87-82 home loss to MSU Moorhead, the defending Northern Sun champion. The next night, against the projected NSIC champion and 16^th ranked Northern State the Marauders dropped a 75-66 decision to the Wolves.
 
THE RECORD
The Marauders are 2-5 overall and 0-3 in Northern Sun play.
 
FAST BREAK

• Keith Hunter's 30 points against MSU Moorhead was just the 16^th time a UMary player has hit that mark as a member of the NCAA. The last time a Marauders hit that mark was Bryan Jefferson against Minnesota State on Feb. 22, 2017. The five treys the junior guard made in the game ties him for 12^th best in a single contest.
• Coming off a three-game home stand, the Marauders will return home after this weekend for another three-game set at the McDowell Activity Center
• The Marauders have a trio of double-digit scorers: Keith Hunter (15.5 ppg), Tom Kubank (12.1 ppg) and Trevor Zacher (12.1 ppg).
• UMary is sharing the scoring load this season as eight players average 5.0 ppg
• Just six different players have started this season for the Marauders. The front line of Tom Kubank, Trevor Zacher and Matthew Kreklow has started all seven games. Jaylan White, Brody Sharkey and Keith Hunter have split the starts at the two guard positions.
• Distribution point: In his first few starts, Jaylan White is garnering assists, including a career-best eight against Yellowstone Christian followed by six against MSU Moorhead. White is 8^th in assists at 4.6/game.

 
OPPO RESEARCH VS. WAYNE STATE COLLEGE WILDCATS
Wayne State is 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the NSIC with league wins over Augustana and Concordia-St. Paul… The Wildcats are in the midst of five home games in 11 days… While 10^th in the NSIC in scoring (78.1 ppg), the Wildcats are fourth in fewest points allowed (66.9)… Wayne State leads the NSIC in turnover margin (+5.1) but 13^th in rebounding margin (-2.6)… Jr. F Kendall Jacks leads WSC in scoring at 16.1 ppg. The only other 'Cats player to average double digit points is reserve guard Trevin Joseph (10.2 ppg)… Eight players average at least 4.9 ppg… Head coach Jeff Kaminsky, in his second season at WSC, previously coach in North Dakota at Valley City State University.
 
HISTORY LESSON - MARAUDERS v. WILDCATS
The Wildcats hold a 12-6 series lead over the Marauders… UMary has won the last two meetings, one in Wayne, NE, and one at home… The two teams first met during UMary's transition season from NAIA to NCAA play in 2005-06 with the Marauders claiming a 70-65 win… Wayne State followed with six straight wins over Mary before the Marauders broke the streak with a 73-62 win at WSC on Dec. 5, 2009… The Wildcats are 7-2 in Bismarck and 5-4 at home against the Marauders…
Last meeting Bryan Jefferson scored a game-high 19 points and Rickey Suggs contributed 16 points off the bench to lead the University of Mary to an 85-78 win over visiting Wayne State College on Dec. 9, 2016. Kicked off by a Jefferson dunk, UMary took control of the game with a 19-6 run to break a 48-48 tie. The Marauders cinched the game at the line, making 25-of-33 in the game, all but two in the second half. Pat Thomas added 17 points for the Marauders and Damonta Henry had 15. Kendall Jacks paced the Wildcats with 17 points.
 
OPPO RESEARCH VS. AUGUSTANA VIKINGS
Augustana is 6-3 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC… The Vikings defeated Concordia-St. Paul last weekend and lost at both Minnesota Sate and Wayne State… Augie has yet to play a conference home game… The Vikings are 34-3 at home in the Sioux Falls Arena since returning there in the fall of 2014… All five starters for the Vikings average double digit points… SR Jordan Spencer has scored 1,379 points in his career, 15^th all-time for the Vikings. The guard leads Augie with 17.1 ppg. John Warren averages 14.6 ppg, followed by Steven Schaefer at 13.1 ppg… Head coach Tom Billeter is in his 15^th season at Augie, where he is 277-155 with a national championship. In 20 seasons as a head coach he is 374-205.
 
HISTORY LESSON - MARAUDERS v. VIKINGS
Mary is 5-12 against Augustana… The series started in 1999-2000 with an 89-64 Vikings win… The first Marauders win was a 68-64 victory on January 18, 2006… Augustana has won the last seven games, including three straight at the McDowell Activity Center and four in Sioux Falls… UMary's last win was a 90-81 home victory on February 11, 2011. Anthony Moody exploded for 32 points and seven assists for the Marauders and Cody Schilling had 34 points for the Vikings… Last Marauders road win over the Vikings was a 63-49 victory on December 4, 2009.
Last Meeting Isaac Lindquist and Trevor Zacher led UMary with 16 points each in an 89-75 loss to the visiting and 21^st ranked Augustana Vikings. Lindquist hit both 3-point shots, made 7-of-10 field goals and had five rebounds. Zacher hit two treys, all four field goal attempts, had a pair of steals and four rebounds. Bryan Jefferson added 15 points and Pat Thomas 13. Adam Beyer made all four of his trey attempts and led Augie with 24 points. Mike Busak added 16 for the Vikings and Jordan Spencer had 15 points and nine assists. The Vikings held a 38-23 rebounding advantage, leading to a 40-28 edge in points in the paint.
 
STOP THIEF!
The Marauders are fourth in the NSIC in steals at 6.6/game. The leading UMary pickpocket is So. G Jaylan White at 1.8 steals/game. He had a season-high of three at Minot State and against Yellowstone Christian.
 
GUARDIAN OF THE GOAL
Fr. F Matthew Kreklow is off to a strong start on the defensive end. The 6-9 man in the middle is averaging 1.3 blocks/game (6^th in the NSIC) and influences many others. Kreklow is also 13^th in rebounds with 6.3/game. He is chipping in 8.7 ppg and is shooting 52 percent from the floor.
 
DOWNTOWN
Jr. G Keith Hunter has been on fire from downtown. In his last three games he is 11-of-22 behind the arc, including a 5-of-9 effort on his way to 30 points against MSUM. For the year he is shooting 50 percent on 3-pointers.
 
NEW BLUE
The Marauders feature a new look in the 2017-18 season with just here players back who saw action last year for UMary. Senior forward Trevor Zacher started 13 games last season for the Marauders and is UMary's lone returner who played significant minutes. Senior forward Michael Gorder enters his fourth season at UMary and has been a key reserve. Sophomore guard Jaylan White is also back and has stepped into the starting lineup.
 
STEPPING FORWARD
While the Marauders return three players with experience playing in the Blue & Orange, not all players are new to the roster. Junior forward Tom Kubank, sophomore guard Evan Anderson, and freshmen Matthew Kreklow, Connor Hellebust and Levi Clagett all redshirted at UMary last season.
 
FIRST
Junior guards Keith Hunter and Brody Sharkey and freshmen Wyatt Carr and Lucas Mayer are in their first year with the Marauders and all have made key contributions. Hunter leads the team in scoring at 15.5 points per game. He's making 53 percent of his shots overall and hitting 50 percent of his trey attempts… Sharkey has started four games and averages 8.7 ppg… Carr chips in 5.4 ppg and is making 50 percent of his shots overall and is 6-of-14 on treys… Mayer has played in all seven games and averages 1.7 ppg.
 
FRONT LINE
The Marauders mobile front line is quickly learning to play together. Senior F Trevor Zacher is second on the Marauders in scoring (12.1 ppg) and 3-pointers (11). He is second in shooting percentage (.526) and third in rebounding (4.1 rpg)… Junior F Tom Kubank is second in scoring at 12.1 ppg, pulls down 4.7 rebounds/game and is shooting 51.6 percent from the field… Freshman center Matthew Kreklow registered his first career double double with 11 points and ten rebounds against Yellowstone. He is averaging 8.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg and is making 52 percent of his shots.
 
THE BORTKE COURT MAC ATTACK
After struggling at home the last few seasons, Mary is once again finding success at the McDowell Activity Center (MAC). The playing floor was christened Bortke Court in honor of long-time Mary men's basketball coach and athletic director Al Bortke in July 2009. Here is the Marauders NCAA Division II home record:
2006-07:   5-  7
2007-08:   4-  7
2008-09:   7-  5
2009-10: 11-  2
2010-11: 12-  1
2011-12:   3-10
2012-13:   3-  9
2013-14:   6-  7
2014-15:   4-  8
2015-16:   8-  7
2016-17:   8-  6
2017-18:   1-  3
The Marauders once won 27 straight home games for Coach Bortke at the MAC (February 19, 1976 thru November 11, 1978).
  
LISTEN LIVE
University of Mary fans can listen to all Marauders conference games live on Fox Sports 710 as Rick Anthony, the Voice of the Marauders, brings you all the game action. You can also listen live online at www.foxsports710.com. Click the "Listen Live" link to stream the game in real time.
 
BACK AT THE MAC
The Marauders returns to the McDowell Activity Center on Tuesday, Dec. 19, when Minot State University visits. Note the men's game is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
 
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