WINONA, MN – The University of Mary exercised several demons with a huge win in the opening round of the 2022 Northern Sun/Sanford Health Men's Basketball Tournament. Paced by 29 points from Kai Huntsberry and a big night on the boards from Gertautas Urbonavicius, the visiting Marauders knocked off Winona State University 82-70.
 
The victory is the first-ever road win for the Marauders in the Northern Sun tournament. It was also UMary's first win ever at Winona State after 13 straight losses, including three in the playoffs. Additionally the Marauders ended a 15-game losing streak to the Warriors.
 
UMary advances to the quarterfinals of the NSIC/Sanford Health tournament. The Marauders now face the top seed out of the NSIC North Division, 12^th ranked University of Minnesota Duluth. The Marauders and the Bulldogs face off Saturday, February 26, at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. Tip off is slated for 11 am. Visit www.NorthernSun.org/NSICTourney for tournament information, including tickets.
 
A strong finish to the first half gave UMary a 34-32 lead at intermission.
 
After three lead changes and a tie early in the second half, the Marauders ripped off 10 straight points to take a decisive lead. Davids Atelbauers hit a trey to get UMary rolling. Following a jumper from Urbonavicius, Kam Warrens nailed a trey of his own. After a Warriors time out, Huntsberry responded with a basket in the lane for a 48-38 lead.
 
The closest the Warriors came the rest of the game was 52-48 but Huntsberry responded with one of his four 3s in the game. UMary maintained no less than a 6-point lead the rest of the game.
 
Huntsberry had a monster night across the night. In addition to a career-best 29 points, the junior guard had seven rebounds and four assists. He was 4-of-8 on treys and went 7-of-8 at the line.
 
Urbonavicius scored 18 points and snared a career-high 13 rebounds. The junior forward was 7-of-13 from he floor and made all three of his free throws.
 
Warrens finished 2-of-3 on treys and knocked down all four free throws on his way to 12 points. Atelbauers added 11 points and three assists to give the Marauders four players in double digits for points.
 
Alec Rosner led the Warriors with 19 points. Devin Whitelow and Connor Dillon had 14 each for WSU.
 
The Marauders held a massive 35-20 edge in rebounds. Deadly efficient offensively, the Marauders shot 55% from the floor, including a 10-of-21 effort behind the arc. UMary also finished 16-of-18 at the line.
 
UMary now takes on UMD for the 3^rd time this season. After a loss at UMD in December, the Marauders upset the then-#6 Bulldogs 75-71 at the McDowell Activity Center on February 11.
 
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