BISMARCK, ND - The first home weekend of basketball in the MAC kicked off with a barn burner as the University of Mary Women's Basketball team defeated a strong Southwest Minnesota State University 89-74 Friday night.
Megan Zander and
Addison Rozell led with 16 points each and three other Marauders scored double-digit totals in a game that was a sprint from beginning to end.
UMary (7-5, 6-3 NSIC) started by scoring their most points in a quarter after a 30-20 first. While making nine of 16 shots from the field (0.563), the Marauders capitalized on early foul trouble from the Mustangs hitting a perfect 10-10 free throws.
The Mustangs (9-5, 6-3 NSIC) would slightly edge the Marauders scoring 18-14 in the second quarter and a Jenna Borchers layup at the buzzer cut the Marauders lead to 44-38 entering halftime.
SMSU stayed hot early in the third quarter, embarking on a pair of early runs to get within reach 53-49 at the 4:29 mark. Bri Stoltzman helped lead this stretch, finishing the night with 24 points. The Marauders battled back with a pair of impressive runs highlighted by a great effort off the bench from
Julia Fitterer who scored six points in the third alone.
The Marauders held on to a comfortable lead after tough play inside and the perimeter shooting of
Megan Voit put the game away 89-74. The Marauders shot the ball efficiently, making 30 of 51 shots (0.588) as a team, and were outstanding from the free throw line hitting 23 of 24 (0.958). UMary also out-rebounded SMSU 36-23.
"That was exciting to watch,"
Rick Neumann told Fox Sports AM 710's Jesse Rostvedt. "They're extremely hard to guard. While we gave up 74 (points), I thought we actually played pretty well defensively limiting the threes. Addison and Mo moved their feet, guarded well, and were tremendous offensively. Voit hit some big threes, Zander took over with some big shots, Julia had a great game off the bench, and I thought that was the best Ryleigh moved all year."
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Addison Rozell stood out with a career-high 16-point performance Friday. The sophomore from Redfield, SD also dominated in the post with seven boards and three blocks.
Megan Zander had another clutch performance tying Rozell for the team-high with 16 points. 12 of Zander's points came in the second half when she efficiently hit five of six shots down the stretch. The senior from Mandan, ND also grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists.
Moriku Hakim continued her impressive run of games with a 14-point and six-rebound performance Friday night.
Megan Voit was once again big from beyond the arc hitting four of six treys for 12 points.
Ryleigh Wacha added 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Carly Kottsick and
Julia Fitterer both finished with eight points.
MOVING ON UP
With her four treys tonight,
Megan Voit is now tied for second in UMary's NCAA era for career three-pointers with 186. Voit currently shares the mark with former Marauder Dani Williams (played 2014-2018). Kayla Rogers holds UMary's NCAA era record with 226 career threes (played 2006-2010).
UP NEXT
The Marauders will return to the MAC Saturday for another conference North and South showdown with the University of Sioux Falls starting at 3:30. The Cougars enter the contest 4-11 overall and 1-8 in the Northern Sun following a 38-64 loss to Minot State Friday night.
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