Box Score WAYNE, NE - In one of the most impressive defensive displays on the season, the University of Mary Women's Basketball team (9-6, 8-4 NSIC) held Wayne State College (9-7, 5-7 NSIC), one of the highest-scoring offenses in the Northern Sun to their least amount scored on the season in a 56-49 victory Saturday night. Megan Zander once again commanded the Marauders offense with 16 points and the Marauders showed grit as they battled a tough Wildcat defense with equal pressure. 

A Megan Voit trey opened up the scoring for the second straight night. Megan Zander and Addison Rozell provided two scores each to edge the Wildcats at the end of the first quarter 11-10.

Zander led the scoring at halftime with eight points. Despite a low halftime score of 24-18, the Marauders did a solid job spreading the rock and winning the scoring matchup inside by a 14-8 margin. The Marauders defense suffocated the Wildcat scoring, holding them to just 18.2% (6-33) shooting in the first half, and limiting them to nine points off of turnovers. 

Wayne State managed to finally hit some big shots in the third, trading the lead and pulling within one point 35-34 entering the fourth quarter. 

The Marauders would take control of the game back thanks to an early 8-0 run in the fourth quarter, but would feel the pressure of Wayne State's full-court press forcing turnovers to keep the game within reach. Moriku Hakim and Ryleigh Wacha combined for nine points down the stretch to keep the lead as the Marauders outlasted the Wildcats with a 56-49. 

UMary outshot Wayne State 39.6% to 27.7% and won the battle at the boards with 46 rebounds to the Wildcats 37. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Megan Zander hit her season average of 16 points to lead the Marauders scoring Saturday night. She also grabbed six rebounds, a steal, and dished two assists. 

Ryleigh Wacha was a key player Saturday with eight points, a team-high nine rebounds, and shared a team-high three steals with Zoe Velde. 

Addison Rozell was big at the boards for eight rebounds, two blocks, and six points. 

Julia Fitterer had another solid game coming off the bench for eight points and two steals.

Megan Voit popped two treys scoring eight total points. 

Moriku Hakim scored six points and had four rebounds. 

Reese Wishart added four points and two steals.

UP NEXT
UMary will come back home to the MAC January 20-21. Intradivisional play in the Northern Sun will continue as the Marauders host Upper Iowa University (6-11, 2-10 NSIC) Friday at 7:30 pm, and then Winona State University (9-9, 3-9 NSIC) Saturday at 5:30 pm. 

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