MARSHALL, MN – A career-high 26 points for Kai Huntsberry and another double double by Kam Warrens wasn't enough for the University of Mary men's basketball team in a narrow 77-73 loss on the road at Southwest Minnesota State University. The game featured ten lead changes and five ties with neither squad holding more than a two-possession lead the last 24 minutes of play.
 
Huntsberry was one of four Marauders to crack double figures in the game. One of the top scorers in the Northern Sun, the junior guard tied his career high for points. He hit 4-of-8 shots behind the arc and was 11-for-22 overall from the floor. Huntsberry also snared six rebounds and delivered five assists for the Marauders.
 
Warrens hauled down a game-high 12 rebounds and added ten points. The junior wing nailed a pair of treys in the game and had two assists. This was his team-leading fourth double double of the season.
 
Gertautas Urbonavicius was nearly perfect from the field for UMary. The junior forward made both his 3s, was 6-for-7 on field goals and connected on both free throw attempts on his way to 16 points. He had four rebounds.
 
Jacob Jackson also cracked double digits for UMary, pairing 12 points with seven rebounds. Treyton Mattern chipped in four points, three assists and three steals. Off the bench Matthew Johnson scored five points and Davids Atelbauers dished out three helpers.
 
Dunwa Omot led the Mustangs with 24 points. Kenny Byers added 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
 
The Marauders shot 46.8% from the field for the game, including a 10-for-26 mark on 3s, but went just 5-for-8 at the line. The Mustangs finished the game shooting 50.9% overall and 7-for-22 on 3s while making 12-of-13 free throw attempts.
 
UMary started fast, using an early 15-3 run to build a 21-9 advantage just seven minutes into the game. The Mustangs clawed their way back into the game but a pair of Urbonavicius free throws in the closing seconds of the first half game the Marauders a 36-35 lead at intermission.
 
A Huntsberry three pushed the Marauders advantage to 44-38 before the Mustangs tied the game 47-47 on a Byers basket. Six lead changes and a pair of ties over the next few minutes followed with the Marauders taking their last lead at 59-57 on an Urbonavicius trey. A pair of Byers baskets followed as SMSU took the lead for good at 61-59 with 7:09 to play on the way to a 6-point lead.
 
Twice UMary cut the deficit to two points, first on a Warrens 3 and the second on a basket by Huntsberry at 71-69 with two minutes left. But both times the Mustangs responded with baskets to maintain a two-possession advantage.
 
The Marauders slip to 5-9 on the season and 4-5 in the NSIC. The Mustangs are 9-5 and 5-4.
 
UMary opens a four-game home stand next weekend when the Marauders host Wayne State College on Friday, January 14. Game time is 5:30 pm at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
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