ABERDEEN, SD – Connor Hellebust posted a career-high 20 points for the University of Mary basketball team but his efforts couldn't offset a first half barrage of three-pointers from 18^th ranked Northern State University in the Marauders 76-59 road loss to the Wolves.
 
Hellebust knocked down a season-high three treys in five attempts and hit 8-of-11 shots overall. The sophomore guard also had five rebounds.
 
The national runner-up last year, the Wolves (9-2 overall, 5-0 NSIC) buried 10-of-13 trey attempts and shot 72 percent in the first half against a Marauders (6-5, 3-2) defense that leads the NSIC in field goal percentage defense and scoring defense. Combined with UMary shooting 39 percent in the first half, the Wolves jumped out to a 39-12 advantage and led the Marauders 48-27 at half.
 
The Marauders reversed their fortunes in the second half but could pull no closer than 12 points, despite opening the second half on an 11-2. The Marauders outscored the Wolves 32-28 after intermission as NSU went 2-for-13 on treys.
 
Matthew Kreklow also reached double figures for the Marauders with 12 points. He added a team-high six rebounds. Tom Kubank chipped in nine points and Jaylan White had eight.
 
Ian Smith and Gabe King both had 12 points for the Wolves.
 
UMary shot 42 percent from the floor, including a 4-of-18 effort from behind the arc. Northern State hit 57 percent of its shots and made 12-of-26 3-pointers.
 
The Marauders next play at Minot State University on Dec. 30.
 
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