BISMARCK, ND – Despite 24 points from Kai Huntsberry and 12 from Matthew Johnson, the University of Mary men's basketball squad was unable to keep pace with Wayne State College in the second half of a 76-69 loss to the visiting Wildcats. The Marauders held the lead at halftime before the Wildcats offense found their rhythm in the second half and outscored UMary by a dozen points after intermission.
 
The 5^th leading scorer in the Northern Sun, Huntsberry cracked the 20 point mark for the 9^th time this season. The junior guard, who averages 18.9 points per game in his first season at UMary, was 9-for-20 from the field and 4-of-5 at the line. He also hit a couple treys, delivered six assists, grabbed four rebounds and committed just one turnover. Huntsberry also was fouled seven times by Wayne State.
 
Johnson provided an offensive spark off the bench for the Marauders on a night UMary played without two starters and two other key reserves. Johnson was 5-of-7 from the field and made his only free throw attempt. He scored his season-high 12 points in just 15 minutes.
 
In his first start this season for the Marauders, Davids Atelbauers scored eight points and made all four free throws. Treyton Mattern chipped in seven points and a team-best six rebounds. Deven Franks added four points and two assists. Lucas Mayer, seeing his first action of the season, paired four points and four rebounds.
 
At the start of the game, over three minutes elapsed before Huntsberry opened the scoring with a long three-pointer. A pair of baskets by Atelbauers and a layup and trey by Hunstberry provided the Marauders an early 12-4 lead. UMary eventually pushed their advantage to 15-6 on a Mattern three. UMary led the entire first half and entered intermission with a 37-32 lead.
 
The Wildcats started the second half fast and used a 22-8 run to claim a 54-45 lead and eventually built a 12 point advantage.
 
Keyed by a three from Johnson followed by a layup on the next possession, the Marauders closed within 65-62 with just over five minutes left in the game. The Wildcats responded with points on their next two possessions and the Marauders could never close within a single possession again.
 
After shooting 48% in the first half, the Marauders (5-10 overall, 4-6 NSIC) cooled off in the second and connected on 43% of their field goals for the game. The Wildcats (9-6, 6-3) hit 63% of their shots after intermission and 55% for the game.
 
The Marauders close out the weekend against #23 Augustana University on Saturday, Jan. 15. Game time is 3:30 pm at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
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