BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary Women's Basketball team welcomed Wayne State College to town for the first round of the NSIC playoffs. A hot start by the Marauders ended in heart break as the Wildcats knocked down a three with 1.8 seconds left to beat UMary 54-52.
UMary concludes their season with a 17-9 record, their best since the 2011-2012 season when they went 19-10. The Marauders 15-7 regular season NSIC record this season is their best record since the 2011-2012 season, where the Marauders also went 15-7.
Playing in front of a packed house, the Marauders got things going early, energized by the crowd. A steal by
Coral Gillette led to a
Macy Williams three to start off the game for UMary. The three by Williams kick started a 19-4 run by the Marauders to start the game. The 15 point lead would be the largest of the ball game for UMary. After the big run by the Marauders to start the game, the Wildcats went on a 20-7 run to end the first half. This brought them with in two points of the Marauders at the intermission, 26-24.
WSC took their first lead of the ball game early in the second half, but another run by UMary brought their lead back up to nine with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was a thriller with teams exchanging the lead back and forth. a jumper by
Tonya Dvorak with just over a minute remaining tied the game up at 50 each.
Cassie Askvig scored a layup off of an assist by
Macy Williams with just 30 seconds left to give the Marauders a two point lead. A foul by the Marauders sent Erin Norling of WSC to the line with just 15 seconds left, she knocked down one of two. This gave the Marauders the lead and the ball with just 15 seconds left until a jump ball call gave the ball back to the Wildcats. Halley Busse of WSC then knocked down a deep three with just 1.8 seconds left to clinch the 54-52 victory for Wayne State.
UMary played great defense on the game, recording 12 steals and scoring 23 points off of turnovers.
The Marauders were efficient from the line knocking down 11 of 12 free throws on the game including eight of eight in the second half.
Gabbie Bohl led the way for the Marauders with 13 points and seven rebounds. The junior went 7-7 from the free throw line.
Cassie Askvig recorded team highs with 10 rebounds and three assists.
Macy Williams posted 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Tonya Dvorak did a little big of everything recording 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Coral Gillette posted a game high with three steals.
Brittany Bongartz led the way for WSC with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks.
The Marauders women's basketball team has a lot to look forward to next year, returning every single player on the team, including the conferences two leading scorers.
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