BISMARCK, ND – Hot early but cold late, the University of Mary men's basketball team faltered down the stretch in a 67-59 loss to visiting Bemidji State University. The two teams split their season series with the visiting team claiming the win in both outings.
 
Jaylan White led the Marauder with 14 points. He also had five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Michael Gorder scored a career-high 13 points. The senior, making his fourth straight start, was 6-for-11 from the floor and added three rebounds and two assists. Matthew Kreklow added 10 points and eight rebounds, making all but one of his six shots.
 
Limited to just six points, UMary leading scorer Keith Hunter chipped in a game-high seven assists and five rebounds.
 


Sharif Black paced BSU with 19 points. He also had five assists and eight turnovers. Christian Pekarek added 17 points and Logan Bader had 13 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The Marauders held a 27-18 advantage with under seven minutes remaining in the first half before the Beavers made a late charge. Bemidji State outscored UMary and claimed a 29-28 lead at half.
 
Down nine midway through the second half, the Marauders used a 13-0 run to regain the lead at 51-47. White nailed consecutive 3-pointers and Kreklow followed with a pair of layups to give UMary a lead. Hunter capped the rally with a 3-pointer.
 
The Marauders claimed their last lead on a Gorder basket for a 56-55 lead with just under 5:00 remaining in the game. It would be UMary's last basket until the closing seconds of the game.
 
For nearly a five minute stretch, the Marauders missed six straight shots and committed three turnovers as the Beavers ran off ten straight points.
 
UMary held a 30-20 edge in points in the paint. BSU held the advantage at the line, making 12-of-19 free throws while the Marauders were just 2-for-4.
 
The Marauders close out their home schedule on Senior Day when the University of Minnesota Crookston visits the McDowell Activity Center on Saturday, February 17, at 6 pm.
 
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