PLAYOFF OPENER
Postseason play begins tonight when the University of Mary opens up the 2019 Northern Sun / Sanford Health Men's Basketball Tournament at Wayne State College. The first round game begins at 6 pm tonight at Rice Auditorium in Wayne, NE.
 
MATCHUP
The Marauders, who finished the regular season in a 3-way tie for third place in the NSIC North Division, ended up with the sixth seed from the North. The Wildcats finished in a three-way tie for first in the South Division and was awarded the third seed. This is just the fourth time WSC will host a an NSIC tournament first round game.
 
ON THE LINE
The winner of the Marauders-Wildcats game will advance to the quarterfinal round of the NSIC / Sanford Health men's basketball tournament at The Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. The UMary-WSC winner faces the St. Cloud State/Upper Iowa victor on Sunday, March 3, at 8 pm. The NSIC semifinals is set for Monday, March 4, with the Championship game slated for Tuesday, March 5. The NSIC tournament champion automatically advances to the NCAA regional tournament.
 
THE RECORD
The Marauders finished the regular season 12-16 overall and 9-13 in the Northern Sun overall (t-10^th) while finishing tied for fifth in the NSIC North… The Wildcats are 19-9 overall and 14-8 in the NSIC, finishing tied for first in the NSIC South and tied for third overall.
 
RADIO READJUSTMENT TO KFYR 550 AM
With both the UMary men's and women's basketball NSIC tournament games airing at the same time, the men's game will be carried on KFYR 550 AM with the Voice of the Marauders Jesse Rostvedt calling the action. The UMary women's game at home against Wayne State remains on Fox Sports 710.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Marauders closed out the regular season with a pair of home games… On Samaritan's Feet Night, the Marauders suffered a narrow 69-64 loss to Northern State, who clinched the NSIC title with the win. Fighting to overcome a 15 point deficit, the Marauders used a 17-4 run to close within 56-54 but could come no closer. Jaylan White scored 22 points to lead the Marauders. Dennis Austin III added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Wyatt Carr hit three treys and scored 12 points off the bench. Gabe king led NSU with 19 points… Seniors Dennis Austin III and Tom Kubank led the Marauders to an 83-63 win over MSU Moorhead and a sweep of the season series. UMary started the game on an 11-1 run and used a 27-5 explosion to grab a 49-24 lead at intermission. Austin his 6-of-8 shots and scored 15 points. Kubank hit three treys and scored 11 points. Matthew Kreklow added 15 points, Connor Hellebust scored 11, and Richard Brown and Jaylan White had 10 points each.
 
MARAUDERS NSIC POST-SEASON HISTORY
The Marauders are 3-9 in the NSIC tournament… The first win was a 70-65 1st round home victory over MSU Moorhead on March 2, 2011. Anthony Moody scored 25 points with eight rebounds and seven assists. Eric Erdmann added 17 points and Jordan Wilhelm 12... Mary has faced Winona State three times in the NSIC tournament, more than any other team.
 
MARAUDERS NSIC PLAYOFF HISTORY (3-9)
March 1, 2008             at Winona State (1st round)                             L 50-77
March 3, 2010             at Winona State (1st round)                             L 57-76
March 2, 2011              MSU Moorhead (1st round)                              W 70-65
March 5, 2011              vs. St. Cloud State (semi-finals)                        L 59-65
Feb. 27, 2013              at Winona State (1st round)                             L 64-77
Feb. 27, 2014              at Southwest Minn. State (1st round)             L 65-82
Feb. 21, 2015              at Concordia-St. Paul (1st round)                     L 65-78
Feb. 24, 2016              Concordia-St. Paul (1st round)                         W 76-72
Feb. 27, 2016              vs. Minnesota State (quarterfinals)                 W 96-91 OT
Feb. 29, 2016              vs. MSU Moorhead (semifinals)                       L 65-89
Feb. 22, 2017              at Minnesota State (1st round)                       L 78-87
Feb. 21, 2018              at Southwest Minnesota State (1^st round)     L 73-78
 
MARAUDERS NCAA PLAYOFF HISTORY (0-1)
March 12, 2011           vs. Metro State (at Mankato, MN)                   L 78-73
 
DEEEE-FENSE
The Marauders have posted impressive defensive figures this season. UMary is 3^rd in the Northern Sun in scoring defense (70.4 ppg), 4^th in field goal percentage defense (.438) and third in steals (6.6).
 
POINT REDUCTION PROGRAM
The Marauders defense has made tremendous strides on the defensive front, allowing seven fewer points per game than a year ago. The Marauders are giving up just 70.4 points per game after allowing the opposition 77 ppg last season… UMary has also held the opposition to a shooting percentage of 43.8 percent after teams made 48.4 percent of their field goal attempts last season, boosting the Marauders from 15^th a year ago on the NSIC leaderboard to 4^th now. The Marauders also have shown improvement on the boards, limiting the scoring opportunities of the opposition.  
 
LEGALIZED LARCENY
The Marauders are third in the NSIC in steals this season at 6.6/game. Jaylan White leads the way with 1.4 steals/game to rank 4^th in the NSIC. Dennis Austin III is 20^th in the NSIC in steals (1.0) and Tom Kubank and Connor Hellebust are tied for 23^rd at 1.0 steals/game.
 
FAST BREAK

• The Marauders won nine home games, the most since posting 12 victories in the 2010-11 season
• The season-ending victory over the Dragons game UMary a season sweep of MSUM. The Marauders also swept the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Both teams are hosting NSIC tournament opening round games.
• The Marauders string of six straight games outrebounding their opponents ended at Winona State. On the year the Marauders are virtually breaking even on the boards at -0.2/game after finishing last season at -4.7.
• After holding opponents to 67 points or fewer six times a year ago in 27 games, the Marauders have limited opponents to 67 or fewer points 12 times in 28 outings this season.
• In 28 games, the Marauders have forced more turnovers than they have committed 15 times and broke even once
• The Marauders lost their first three games this season by a combined 11 points. In each of the three games UMary had possession of the ball in the final minute of the contest with a chance to at least tie the game.

 
FREE THROW FOLLOWTHROUGH
All season long the Marauders have found ways to get to the free throw line. UMary is shooting 73.5 percent (386-of-525) from the free throw line to their opponent's 71.5 percent (342-of-478)… The Marauders have made more free throws than the opposition 17 times and attempted more 17 times in 28 games… the opposition has had the edge in attempts eight times and in makes nine times… Both teams have attempted the same number of free throws three time and makes twice… UMary is 9-8 when making more free throws than the opposition… Marauders had a season-high 29 makes in 36 attempts at USF. In the same game the Cougars were 31-of-41… During one six-game stretch the Marauders made over 80 percent of their free throw attempts, going 115-of-139 (83 percent). Included in that figure was a combined 31-of-34 (91.2%) effort at home against Wayne State and Augie… in the Marauders last home weekend of the season, UMary was 24-of-28 combined against Northern State and MSU Moorhead.
 
TURNOVER TOWN
The Marauders are +0.93 in turnovers, the 7th-best mark in the NSIC. The Marauders broke even on turnovers last season.
 
REJECTION LETTERS
With 76 career blocks, Matthew Kreklow is third all-time at UMary behind only Marc Hawley (108 in 1995-97) and Eric Erdmann (99 in 2006-11) … Also Kreklow's 53 blocks this season are one shy of the school's single season record by Damon Smith in 2011-12.
 
DOWN UNDER
Sr. F Tom Kubank is 3^rd on the Marauders in scoring this season with much of his production from behind the arc. The Adelaide, South Australia, native averages 10.9 points/game and makes 1.9 treys/game, 19th in the NSIC… he is 52-of-146 behind the arc (36 percent)… reached double figures in scoring in 14 games w/ career-high 25 against SD Mines…in back-to-back games Kubank tied his career-high in rebounds with 12 in wins over Minnesota Duluth and MSU Moorhead. He is third on the Marauders in rebounding (5.4 rebounds/game)… He paired 11 points and 12 rebounds against MSUM for his first double double of the season… Just missed a double double with 16 points and nine rebounds in a home win over UMC… Hit season-high five treys against SD Mines… On Senior Day against MSUM, hit three treys and scored 11 points… Kubank cracked the 1,000 point barrier as a collegiate student-athlete against MSU Moorhead on Dec. 14, including his two seasons at Lake Region State College... Kubank is the Marauders 2019 Kevin Olson Award recipient.
 
SWAT CITY
The NSIC North Player of the Week for his Jan. 25-26 efforts, So. F Matthew Kreklow is 2nd in the NSIC in blocked shots at 1.9/game. He tied the Marauders NCAA-era record with six blocks at Minot State on Dec. 30. He also had four against Mayville State and Augie and three against Minnesota Duluth, Concordia-St. Paul and at Minnesota Crookston… Career-high 27 points in home win over Bemidji State to cap Player of the Week efforts. Had 14 points and 10 rebounds the night before against Minnesota Crookston… had one of his best games of the season at SCSU with 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists while making 8-of-13 field goals and all three free throws… He is second on the team in scoring (11.5 ppg) and rebounds (5.6 rebounds/game)… 4^th in assists at 1.4/game… The post player knocked down all ten of his free throw attempts in a win over Minnesota Duluth and is 79-of-97 at the line to rank 13^th in the NSIC in free throw percentage (.814)… posted double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds against SD Mines… Double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds against UMC… reached double figures in rebounds against Mines and at Minot State… Scored 17 points with three blocks at UMC… the first UMary player to earn NSIC player of the week honors since January 2014.
 
WHITE NOISE
Jr. G Jaylan White is a sparkplug for the Marauders on both ends of the court. He leads the Marauders in scoring at 13.9 points per game… one of the top free throw shooters in the NSIC, the junior is 113-of-138 at the line to rank 10^th in the league with an .819 free throw percentage… White is 10th in the NSIC in assist/turnover ratio (2.0) and 12^th in assists (3.3/game)… he has led the Marauders in scoring 12 times, including a career-best 29 points against Minnesota Duluth at home… in triple overtime win at UMD White scored 25 points and made all eight free throws. He hit the game-winning shot with less than two seconds remaining in the third overtime… also scored 20 points at Minot State, against Augie and at UMC (22)… In win over Augie White posted 20 points and tied his career-high with eight assists.
 
BUSTING OUT
So. G Connor Hellebust is having a strong sophomore season. The Bismarck, ND, native posted double digit points in ten of his last 19 games… averaging 10 points/game on the season… tied his career-high with 21 points at Southwest Minnesota State… Also had 21 at UMD in the 100-98 triple overtime win… went 4-of-5 on 3s and scored 18 points with six assists in win over Augie – both 3s and assists were career-highs… followed immediately with another 4-for-5 effort behind the arc and 19 points at Upper Iowa… was 3-for-5 behind the arc against the Wolves… also hit three 3s at UMD… hit multiple 3s in nine of the last 18 games.
 
STAT STUFFER
Sr. G Dennis Austin III is filling all the stat columns this year… in a homecoming win at his alma mater Upper Iowa last weekend, Austin scored 22 points, grabbed nine rebounds, had four assists, made two steals and was 8-for-12 from the field…  In a sweep over UMC and BSU at home, Austin had 10 points, six assists, six rebounds and five steals against the Golden Eagles and 17 points, ten rebounds, two assists and four steals against the Beavers… posted a second double double with 11 rebounds and ten points at home against Northern State… leads the team in rebounding at 5.7/game, 3^rd in steals (26), second in assists (1.6) and 5^th in scoring (7.3)... had season-high 12 rebounds against Minnesota State… Made at least 50 percent of his shots in 14 of last 19 games… and is shooting 51.9 percent on the year… The senior graduate transfer in his first year at UMary went over 1,000 career points in his collegiate career, including his three seasons at Upper Iowa (927).
 
BENCH BOOST
Freshman guard Trever Kaiser has provided a spark offensively for the Marauders off the bench… Scored career-high 21 points in win over Augie. He was 4-of-7 on treys, 6-of-9 overall from the floor, made all five free throw attempts and posted three assists… With a pair of Marauders out of the lineup four weeks ago, Kaiser picked up some of the slack and posted a then career-high ten points against both Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State. He followed with seven points against UMC and three points and four assists against BSU. Kaiser has scored in nine of his last 11 games and averages 3.5 ppg… R-Fr. Justin Engg exploded for a career-high 12 points in a home win over Bemidji State. His previous career-best was six points and he had just 13 total points in 15 games. Engg was 2-for-4 on treys and 4-for-6 from the field. In his next outing, Engg hit 2-of-3 trey attempts and grabbed six rebounds against Wayne State… Wyatt Carr has provided quality points off the bench all season. The sophomore wing averages 4.8 ppg and is shooting 36.5 percent from behind the arc (31-of-85). Has connected for multiple treys in nine games with a season-best four at Minnesota Duluth in the 100-98 triple overtime game. Is 16-of-17 at the free throw line… Jr. F Richard Brown is beginning to find his scoring touch. He posted a career-high 10 points in season finale against MSU Moorhead. The Houston, TX, native has scored in 11 of the Marauders last 12 games. Had 8-point games at both Upper Iowa and Bemidji State… After not playing since early January due to injury, Evan Anderson provided a big spark for the Marauders on the last weekend of the regular season.  He hit two 3s against Northern State and had five assists against MSU Moorhead.
 
OPPO RESEARCH: WAYNE STATE COLLEGE WILDCATS
The Wayne State College Wildcats finished the regular season 19-9 overall and 14-8 in the NSIC South. The Wildcats won a share of the South division for the first time since the league went to divisional play in 2012-13. This is also the first winning season by the Wildcats since 2012-13. WSC was ranked 9^th in the first NCAA regional rankings released last Wednesday. Since those rankings appeared the Wildcats defeated Southwest Minnesota State before falling to Sioux Falls in the last game of the regular season. In their last six game, the Wildcats are 2-4. They are 1-3 at home over the last four games. The Wildcats are 5th in the NSIC in scoring (79.8 ppg) and 6^th in field goal percentage (.481). On the other end of the court the Wildcats are 5^th in scoring defense (71.4 ppg) and 7^th in field goal percentage defense (.452). Wayne State starts a trio of seniors and two freshmen. Sr G Trevin Joseph leads the team in scoring (16.3 ppg) with Sr. G Kendall Jacks right behind (15.8 ppg). Sr. PG Vance Janssen checks in at 12.6 ppg while Fr. F Jordan Janssen combines 11.5 ppg and 7.9 rpg. Head coach Jeff Kaminsky is in his third season at Wayne State and is the former head coach at Valley City State University in North Dakota.
 
HISTORY LESSON - MARAUDERS v. WILDCATS
The Wildcats hold a 14-6 series lead over the Marauders… The Wildcats snapped the Marauders 2-game series win streak with an 85-63 win in Wayne, NE, on Dec. 18, 2017, the last meeting between the two teams. Trevor Zacher led UM with 16 points. Jordan Cornelius had 20 for WSC… The two teams first met during UMary's transition season from NAIA to NCAA play in 2005-06 with the Marauders claiming a 70-65 win… Wayne State followed with six straight wins over Mary before the Marauders broke the streak with a 73-62 win at WSC on Dec. 5, 2009… The Wildcats are 8-2 in Bismarck and 6-4 at home against the Marauders… The Marauders last home win was an 85-78 victory 12.9.16 behind 19 points from Bryan Jefferson… In the last meeting, visiting Wayne State defeated UMary 67-48 on Feb. 1, 2019. After a close first half, the Wildcats outscored the Marauders 38-23 after intermission. Matthew Kreklow led UMary with 10 points. Trevin Joseph had 20 points for Wayne State.
 
HOME COOKING
The Marauders completed a six-game home stand earlier this year with five victories, including a pair of Northern Sun wins…. After winning just two games at home last season, the Marauders have nine this year.
 
THE BORTKE COURT MAC ATTACK
The Marauders opened up their home schedule with a pair of wins this season after struggling last season at the McDowell Activity Center. Despite last year's setback, UMary has found success in recent seasons at the MAC. The playing floor was christened Bortke Court in honor of long-time Mary men's basketball coach and athletic director Al Bortke in July 2009. Here is the Marauders NCAA Division II home record:
2006-07:   5-  7
2007-08:   4-  7
2008-09:   7-  5
2009-10: 11-  2
2010-11: 12-  1
2011-12:   3-10
2012-13:   3-  9
2013-14:   6-  7
2014-15:   4-  8
2015-16:   8-  7
2016-17:   8-  6
2017-18:   2-11
2018-19:   9-  5
The Marauders once won 27 straight home games for Coach Bortke at the MAC (February 19, 1976 thru November 11, 1978).
 
BOOM!
UMary games against Minnesota Duluth has created incredible end of the game drama this season…. In the first meeting, Dennis Austin III knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the right corner in front of the Marauders bench with 0.2 seconds remaining in overtime to lead the Marauders to a 73-70 home win over Minnesota Duluth… In the rematch at UMD, Wyatt Carr hit a trey with less than five seconds remaining in the second overtime to force a third overtime. Jaylan White then hit a driving layup with less than two seconds remaining on the Marauders 100-98 triple overtime road win against the Bulldogs… Here's a look at some other late game heroics during the Marauders NCAA era…

• Marquealis Edwards hit a layup in the final five seconds of a 77-76 win over Southern Arkansas on Nov. 14, 2015
• Marquealis Edwards forced overtime with a layup in the final five seconds to tie the game in a 96-91 win over Minnesota State on Fe. 22, 2016, in the NSIC quarterfinals
• Josh Turner hit a three-pointer with four seconds left in a 73-72 win at Chadron State on Nov. 15, 2011
• Jason West hit a three-pointer with no time on the clock at the end of regulation to force overtime in an 80-77 UMary win at Minnesota Duluth
• Eric Erdmann not only hit a layup at the buzzer in regulation to force overtime and then hit a layup at the buzzer in overtime to win the game 71-69 at Bemidji State on Jan. 12, 2008
• Bill Shetler drained a long three-pointer from inside the half-court line as time expired in the Marauders 78-75 win over visiting Mayville State on Dec. 15, 2006
• One day later the Marauders defeated visiting University of North Dakota on Dec. 16, 2006, when Jordan Engelhardt hit two free throws with a second remaining in the game

 
OVERTIME OVERTURES
An impressive amount of facts and figures resulted from the Marauders 100-98 triple overtime win at Minnesota Duluth on January 11. Here are just a few…

• It was the longest game for UMary during the NCAA era and maybe in school history
• UMary played double overtime games against St. Cloud State (88-83 home win 1.17.14) and Minot State (92-88 home loss 11.22.11) for what had been the longest games
• UMary has played 24 overtime games during the NCAA era (Fall 2006 and on) and have won ten times
• The 98 points allowed is the most the Marauders have allowed in any NCAA era win (previously high was in 96-91 win over Minnesota State 2.27.16 in NSIC tournament quarterfinals)
• Marauders were 9-of-11 at the free throw line in the three extra sessions while UMD was 5-of-12. Jaylan White went 6-of-6 in OT at the line, making four in the final stanza
• Jaylan White scored 12 points in overtime, including eight of the Marauders 13 points in the overtime session
• The Marauders and Bulldogs have gone to overtime twice this season with UMary winning both times on baskets in the closing seconds

 
NUMBERS GAME
UMary put up a lot of big numbers in their 101-87 win over visiting Augustana… the 101 points is the most points the Marauders have ever scored in a Northern Sun game. UMary joined the NSIC for the 2006-07 season… The previous high was 100 points UMary scored in its 100-98 triple overtime win at Minnesota Duluth… It was the most points UMary had scored in a game since posting a school-record 144 against Oglala Lakota College on Dec. 14, 2015… The Marauders had season-highs in points (101), field goal percentage (57.6% on 34-of-59 shooting), 3-point shooting percentage (50%) and 3-point makes (14).
 
LISTEN LIVE
University of Mary fans can listen to all Marauders home and conference games live on Fox Sports 710 as Jesse Rostvedt, the Voice of the Marauders, brings you all the game action. You can also listen live online at www.foxsports710.com. Click the "Listen Live" link to stream the game in real time.
 
FOLLOW LIVE
To find links to live stats, audio and video, go to www.goumary.com/coverage
 
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