BISMARCK, ND – The first December matchup between the U.S. 83 rivals went in favor of the University of Mary Women's Basketball team Tuesday night. Megan Zander and Megan Voit both scored in the double-digits while the defense dominated the visiting Minot State University Beavers for a scrappy 61-44 final in the fourth-straight victory for the Marauders. 

After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Marauders (4-2, 3-0 NSIC) were able to pull ahead by nine entering halftime thanks to an offensive rally started by Reese Wishart early in the second. Megan Zander also picked it up for the Marauders scoring nine points herself to create a comfortable lead. 

The Marauders defense would smother the Beavers (5-4, 1-2 NSIC) in the second half, holding them to just eight points in the third quarter and nine in the fourth. A late 14-0 run would put UMary in the driver's seat onward to a 61-44 final score. 

UMary forced 18 Minot State turnovers and scored 15 points from the charity stripe thanks to 22 Beaver fouls. Tuesday night also tied a season-low for points allowed in a game when UMary also allowed just 44 points in their November 25 win over Hawaii at Hilo. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Megan Zander continued her impressive start by once again leading the Marauders offensively with 16 points. Zander also grabbed four rebounds and a steal. 

Megan Voit hit four treys in a 13-point performance, along with four rebounds and a steal. 

Carly Kottsick played a big role in Tuesday night's win with eight points, four assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Kottsick also scored on multiple Minot State fouls. 

Ryleigh Wacha also played a huge defensive role with eight rebounds and three steals. She also contributed six points and four assists offensively. 

Moriku Hakim also grabbed eight rebounds to tie Wacha for the team high. 

UP NEXT
UMary Women's Basketball will stay in Bismarck through the weekend for stiff NSIC competition in the MAC. The Marauders host St. Cloud State (5-2, 2-1 NSIC) Friday at 5:30 pm, followed by a matchup with Minnesota Duluth (6-2, 3-0 NSIC) Saturday at 3:30 pm. 

UGLY SWEATER BASKETBALL BASH
Fans are encouraged to participate in an "Ugly Sweater Basketball Bash" for Friday's game against SCSU. Fans can wear their favorite ugly Christmas sweater to the game and have a chance to win a prize for the ugliest sweater voted on during halftime. The prize will be a new UMary sweater just in time for the holidays.

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