SIOUX FALLS, SD – The majority of the season the University of Mary women's basketball team has struggled at the free throw line and on the road. Tonight the Marauders showed both issues may be in the rear view mirror as UMary captured its biggest road game of the season, beating the University of Sioux Falls 76-71.
 
The second straight win on the road for the Marauders, UMary has won four straight games and six out of seven to improve to 12-11 overall and 8-9 in the NSIC. The Marauders have a winning record for the first time since sitting 4-3 through seven games. UMary is currently sixth in the NSIC North Division but just two wins behind St. Cloud State in third with ten wins. The Marauders have five conference games remaining in the regular season.
 
The second conference road win of the season for the Marauders was also the biggest. Sioux Falls is now 13-8 overall and 10-7 in the NSIC, holding on to third place in the NSIC South.
 
Towards the bottom of the conference much of the year in free throw shooting, the Marauders won the game at the line, making 28 of 31 free throws, a season-high 90.3 percent. The 28 makes tied UMary's high water mark. The Marauders efforts at the line was far from an aberration however. In the last six games UMary has made 114-of-141 free throws, a percentage of 80.9. For the season the Marauders free throw percentage is up to 70.3.
 
The Marauders needed all the points they could get at the line in the fourth quarter. After hitting 20-of-41 field goals through three quarters, UMary made just 3-of-14 shots from the field. The squad made up for the difference at the line by making 18-of-19 free throws.
 
After closing the first half on a 16-5 run to build a 40-28 halftime lead, the Marauders fell behind 55-54 with 5:00 left in the game.
 
A 3-point play by Lauren Rotunda reclaimed the lead for the Marauders at 57-55 with four minutes to play. From there the Marauders scored on every possession but one to hold off the Cougars. Cassie Askvig made eight free throws for UMary in the closing minutes and all 18 fourth quarter free throws for the Marauders came in final four minutes.
 
Askvig and Gabbie Bohl led the Marauders with 18 points apiece.
 
In winning their second straight conference road game of the season, the Marauders made 28-of-31 free throws. Askvig was 10-of-11 at the line and added seven rebounds. Bohl added ten rebounds for a double double and was 4-of-5 at the line.
 
Rotunda chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. Macy Williams and Dani Williams both had ten points. Dani Williams made all six of her free throw attempts and added three assists.
 
Kaely Hummel led USF with 19 points and Mariah Szymanski had 17. Jacey Huinker grabbed 14 rebounds.
 
The Marauders conclude their weekend at Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday, Feb. 3.
 
#marauders#