BROOKINGS, SD – A hot start from behind the arc from University of Mary guard Zyon Smith and added scoring punch from Gunner Swanson gave the Marauders an early boost against NCAA Division I South Dakota State University before the homestanding and Summit League favorite Jackrabbits posted a 91-51 win in exhibition play.
 
Smith scored a game-high 20 points as he connected on four treys in the game. Swanson added 11.
 
The two guards combined to hit the Marauders first four 3-point attempts in the contest. Smith hit three from deep while Swanson added one. Swanson also was fouled on a 3-pointer and made all three free throws as UMary raced out to a 15-8 lead that included a 9-0 run. Smith's fourth trey game the Marauders their last lead of the game at 21-20.
 
UMary kept the game within a single possession for the first 12 minutes of the contest before SDSU began to create separation.
 
Gerald Gittens posted nine points and a team-leading four steals for the Marauders. Rich Ashu led UMary in rebounds with six.
 
Luke Appel led SDSU with 15 points and eight rebounds.
 
The Marauders open the regular season November 10-11 at the Central Region Challenge in Tahlequah, OK. The Marauders open against the University of Central Oklahoma on Nov. 10 before facing the tournament host Northeastern State University on Nov. 11.
 
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