BISMARCK, ND – A big second half by Kai Huntsberry nearly carried the University of Mary to victory in the Marauders home opener but the Marauders late rally fell just short in an 80-76 loss to Mayville State University.
 
Huntsberry scored 16 of his game-high 22 points in the second half. It was his second straight game leading UMary in scoring with 22. Playing in just this third game for the Marauders, the junior guard from New Orleans, LA, also had nine rebounds, four assists and two steals while finishing 10-of-20 from the floor.
 
Three other Marauders also cracked double digits. Gertautas Urbonavicius posted 14 points and nine rebounds. Kam Warrens recorded 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for his second straight game with a double double. Jacob Jackson came off the bench to score 10 points and snare seven rebounds. He did most of his offensive damage at the line, finishing 8-of-9 on free throws. Josh Sipes chipped in five assists and all ten Marauders got into the scoring column.
 
Latrelle Franklin led the Comets with 20 points and eight assists. His backcourt running-mate Winder Joseph added 15 and 5.
 
The Marauders had a massive 49-31 edge in rebounding, including a 17-0 advantage on the offensive glass which allowed UMary to outscore MSU 15-0 on second chance points and 36-26 in the paint. The Comets were much more efficient. Despite taking 26 fewer shots from the floor, Mayville State shot 49% (25-51) overall and drained 12-of-26 attempts behind the arc. UMary shot 36.4% (28-77) overall and 4-of-16 on treys.
 
Turnovers also favored UMary as the home team committed just eight to 15 for the visitors.
 
Down 37-34 at intermission and trailing by as many as seven, the Marauders climbed in front 53-51 behind a pair of Jackson free throws. The Comets soon regained the lead and built a 71-63. UMary kept chipping away and narrowed the gap to 78-76 in the final 30 seconds behind a put-back of an offensive rebound by Jackson followed by a soaring steal and drive to the basket for a three-point play by Huntsberry. A pair of Franklin free throws salted away the game for MSU.
 
The Marauders (0-3 overall) next open Northern Sun play when UMary travels to Minot State University on Tuesday, Nov. 23.
 
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