DULUTH, MN – Demonstrating scoring punch throughout the whole lineup, the University of Mary men's basketball team defeated homestanding University of Minnesota Duluth 80-70 to gain a weekend split. Led by
Trever Kaiser's game-high 20 points, all nine Marauders scored in the game.
After an ice-cold shooting performance in a loss Friday, the Marauders were on fire tonight. UMary shot 52.8% from the floor overall, including a 9-for-20 effort behind the arc. The Marauders also sank 15-of-18 free throws. Defensively the Marauders held the Bulldogs to 38.6% effort from the floor. UMD hit 10 treys but needed 31 chances. Also the Bulldogs finished just 6-of-9 at the line.
Additionally the Marauders dominated the boards with a 43-28 advantage.
"We had much better energy tonight," said Marauders head coach
Joe Kittell. "It definitely helps to hit some shots but for the most part we hit the right shots tonight. It makes a 9-hour bus ride home a lot better with a performance like this."
Kaiser just missed a double double. In addition to leading the team in scoring for a fourth straight game, the junior guard added nine rebounds.
Three other Marauders also cracked double digits.
Wyatt Carr drained a pair of treys in three tries and scored 10 points while making 4-of-5 field goals. He also had four rebounds.
In another stat-stuffer performance,
Matthew Kreklow posted 14 points, made all six free throws, snared four rebounds, dished three assists and rejected a trio of shots. He was also 4-of-6 from the floor.
Kam Warrens posted a career-high 11 points off the bench, making 4-of-5 shots.
Glenn Jordan added nine points, six rebounds and four assists.
Treyton Mattern chipped in six points,
Lucas Mayer four, and
Josh Sipes and
Deven Franks both connected on a 3-ball.
Defensively the Marauders held All-NSIC performer Drew Blair in check. Blair, who led UMD with 20 points on Friday, was limited to nine points and made just 4-of-23 shots.
Joshua Brown paced UMD with 19 points.
The Marauders played in front much of the night, taking a 15-14 lead on a Kreklow basket in the paint and never looking back. UMary led by as many as 18 points in the second half.
UMD cut the Marauders advantage to 75-70 with a couple minutes left in the game but a triple by Kaiser, a pair of Kreklow free throws and tremendous defense to keep the Bulldogs from scoring again sent UMary home with the win.
The Marauders continue a four-game road trip to northern Minnesota with a pair of games at Bemidji State University on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23.
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