TAHLEQUAH, OK – A buzzer beater by Gerald Gittens delivered the first win of the season for the University of Mary men's basketball team. Gittens powered his way to the basket as time was expiring to send the visiting Marauders home with a 63-61 win over Northeastern State University, host of the two-day Central Region Challenge.
 
A transfer from North Central Missouri College, Gittens scored 13 points as part of a balanced UMary attack that featured four players in double figures. Coming off a 16 point outburst in a narrow opening-night 55-49 loss to #9 Central Oklahoma, the Brooklyn, NY, native had six rebounds and two assists.
 
Zyon Smith led the Marauders in scoring with 18 points. He was 3-for-7 from behind the arc and added seven boards.
 
Xavier Lewis had a career night for UMary. The sophomore from Lynwood, IL, scored 15 points and hauled down 12 boards, both personal bests for the forward. It was also his first career double double.
 
Brock Heffner was the 4^th Marauders player in double figures. The transfer forward from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay produced 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks in the UMary victory.
 
In another rugged defensive effort, the Marauders held the Riverhawks to a 40.3% shooting night, including a 5-for-20 effort behind the arc on Northeastern State's home court. Additionally UMary only gave up six free throw to NSU, who converted all six.
 
The Marauders shot 42.6% from the floor overall and 6-of-17 on treys. UMary did struggle at the line, making just 5-of-16.
 
In a game that featured nine ties and 10 lead changes, the Marauders trailed by as many as seven points in the first half before going into intermission down 30-27.
 
An 8-0 run on treys by Gittens and Smith and a basket by Lewis gave the Marauders a 54-49 lead with 6:14 to play. While UMary never again trailed NSU pulled even at 61-61 on a trey by Marcus Scott V with nine seconds to play. It was then time for Gittens to take center stage.
 
Ethan Blackmon led the Riverhawks with 18 points.
 
The Marauders next open their home schedule with a visit from Mayville State University on Wednesday, November 15. Game time is 7 pm at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
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