MOORHEAD, MN – A dominant performance by
Matthew Kreklow and clutch free throw shooting by the University of Mary carried the Marauders to a 75-69 road win over MSU Moorhead in the final regular season game of the year.
Kreklow posted his seventh double double of the season, pairing 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead all players in both categories. The junior center was nearly perfect shooting the ball, making 7-of-9 field goals and 12-of-13 free throws. He was fouled by the Dragons eight times in the game, more than any other player.
Overall the Marauders (12-16 overall, 7-15 NSIC) knocked down 23-of-26 free throws. The Dragons (17-11, 13-9) were 11-of-15.
UMary also dominated the boards, holding a 43-31 advantage that led to a 13-5 edge in second chance points.
Owning the lead for over 36 of the 40 minutes in the game, the Marauders fell behind briefly at 54-53 with just under seven minutes left. UMary responded with a 9-2 run to regain the lead.
Lucas Mayer and
Trever Kaiser hit baskets to start the run before
Jaylan White drained a 3-pointer. Kreklow knocked down two free throws to cap the outburst and the Marauders led 62-56, never to trail again.
UMary finished off the Dragons at the line. In the last two minutes of the game, the Marauders made all eight of their free throws.
Kaiser played a key role for the Marauders off the bench. The sophomore guard scored 16 points, distributed four assists and grabbed eight rebounds. He also hit two treys. White also hit two treys and scored 11 points in the game.
Glenn Jordan chipped in eight points and
Wyatt Carr had seven points and nine rebounds.
Johnny Beeninga led the Dragons with 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. Gavin Baumgartner and Bryce Irsfeld scored a dozen points each.
Both teams struggled shooting the ball. The Marauders finished at 426 percent (6-of-19 on treys) and the Dragons hit 42.9 percent (4-of-19 on treys).
The Marauders open the 2020 Northern Sun /Sanford Health Men's Basketball Tournament at Upper Iowa University on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Tip off is 6 pm. The Marauders are the seventh seed out of the North Division and Upper Iowa is the second seed in the South Division.
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