BISMARCK, ND – Fighting for a home playoff spot, the University of Mary took a big leap forward with an 81-72 home win over visiting University of Sioux Falls. The three most veteran Marauders – Damonta Henry, Bryan Jefferson and Isaac Lindquist – scored a combined 56 points in the victory.
 
The win keeps the Marauders tied with Bemidji State for the fourth and final Northern Sun home playoff berth in the North division with five regular season games to go.
 
Henry led all players with 25 points. Highly efficient, the senior guard was 9-of-15 from the field and made all six of his free throw attempts. He also added five rebounds, two steals and two blocks. It was the third straight game of scoring at least 20 points for Henry.
 
Jefferson posted 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The senior all-conference forward made 7-of-9 shots and was 7-of-11 at the line.
 
Lindquist also reached double figures with 10 points. The senior center had three rebounds and made both his free throws.
 
After a defensive battle in the opening half that saw Mary (9-14 overall, 7-10 NSIC) trail 26-25 at intermission, the second half proved diametrically opposite. The Marauders made just 8-of-26 shots before the break and couldn't miss in the second half. Mary made 20-of-27 field goal attempts (74.1 percent) and outscored Sioux Falls (13-12, 9-8) 56-47.
 
Down three with under 13 minutes remaining, the Marauders took control of the contest with a 14-2 run. Luke Scott hit a layup and a trey to give Mary a lead at 43-41 that the Marauders never relinquished. Henry followed with a steal he took to the basket for a layup. The senior from Chicago, IL, then scored a fast break basket keyed by a Scott rebound. Fouled in the process of making the shot, Henry completed the 3-point play and Mary led 48-41. After two Sioux Falls free throws, Pat Thomas and Jefferson made layups to complete the run.
 
Mary continued to apply pressure and soon built a 13 point lead at 61-48 on a Jefferson layup. USF climbed within seven points three times but Mary responded with points on its next possession each time to hold off the Cougars.
 
Dominant inside, Mary held a 36-20 advantage in pain points.
 
Thomas rolled lucky sevens for the Marauders, scoring seven points, hauling down seven rebounds and distributing seven assists. Trevor Zacher added nine points off the bench and Scott had seven.
 
Mack Johnson led USF with 18 points, one of five Cougars in double figures.
 
Mary closes the weekend against NSIC South leading Southwest Minnesota State at 6 pm on Saturday, Feb. 4, at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
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