BISMARCK, ND – Facing one of their toughest challenges of the season, the University of Mary men's basketball team dropped a 76-62 home game to Northern Sun South-leading Southwest Minnesota State University. Damota Henry led the Marauders with 17 points and Isaac Lindquist added 15 but the balanced Mustangs had five players in double digits.
 
Using an inside attack that outscored the Marauders 44-26 in the paint, the Mustangs slowly built a double digit lead late in the first half. Scoring on four straight possessions, SMSU went on a 10-0 run to move up 37-22. 
 
Refusing to fade, a Jaylan White outburst helped pull Mary within 48-44. After a steal by White, the freshman drove the floor and scored on his own personal fast break. Another SMSU led to a White 3-pointer, Rickey Suggs capped a 9-0 Mary run with a layup.
 
Three more times Mary closed within four, the last at 61-47 on a Lindquist jumper in the paint. SMSU responded with a 10 point run to put the game out of reach.
 
Lindquist hit 6-of-11 shots and had five rebounds. Henry added four rebounds to his 17 points.
 
Ryan Bruggeman led SMSU with 19 points. Carter Kirk added 15.
 
SMSU turned a 39-35 lead in rebounds to a 13-4 advantage in second chance points.
 
Mary slips to 9-15 overall and 7-11 in the NSIC. SMSU is 19-4 and 14-4.
 
Despite the loss, the Marauders didn't lose any ground in the NSIC North chase for fourth place and the final playoff slot. May remains tied with Bemidji State and Minot State with four games remaining.
 
The Marauders next host St. Cloud State University on Friday, Feb. 10, at 8 pm.
 
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