BISMARCK, ND – In a matchup between two of the two defensive teams in the Northern Sun, the University of Mary men's basketball team couldn't match the scoring punch of Northern Sun South division-leading Wayne State College in the Marauders 67-48 loss to the Wildcats.
 
Both teams came in allowing 69 points per contest and are both among the league leaders in field goal percentage defense. The Marauders (9-12 overall, 6-9 NSIC) held the Wildcats (16-5 overall, 11-4 NSIC) to a shooting percentage of 42 percent for the night and 13 fewer points than their scoring average. The Marauders, though, shot just 32.6 percent for the night.
 
The Marauders had a strong night on the boards, holding a 33-27 edge in rebounding over the Wildcats. Wayne State balanced its rebounding deficit with a +11 mark in turnovers.
 
Trailing just 29-25 at intermission in an opening half that featured seven ties and seven lead changes, the Marauders struggled to score early in the second half.
 
After Tom Kubank baskets on the Marauders first two possessions of the second half, including a 3-pointer, pulled the Marauders within two, the Wildcats began growing their advantage. Following a Matthew Kreklow jumper to keep the Marauders within five points at 39-34, the Wildcats went on a 19-2 run to claim a 58-36 lead. During that eight minute stretch the Marauders went 0-for-9 from the floor.
 
Kreklow led the Marauders with 10 points. Kubank hit two treys and added eight points and five rebounds. Justin Engg came off the bench to hit a pair of treys and score six points and grabbed a team-leading six rebounds. Richard Brown and Jaylan White also had six points.
 
Trevin Joseph led Wayne State with 20 points. Jordan Janssen added 11 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Marauders close out a four-game home stand when Augustana visits on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 5:30 pm.
 
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