BILLINGS, MT – Fueled by a trio of all-conference performers, the University of Mary women's basketball team overpowered #19 Angelo State University 81-67 in the Marauders season opener. Playing in the opening game of the D2CCA Women's Basketball Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead, Lexie Schneider, Megan Zander and Mariah McKeever combined to score 56 points for the Marauders.
 
In her first game back for the Marauders since the 2022 Northern Sun tournament after missing all of last season to injury, Schneider scored a game-high 23 points. The senior forward and 2022 All-NSIC post player lived at the line, making 13-of-15 free throws. She was also 5-of-8 from the floor and added four rebounds.
 
Zander led a tremendous outside attack that saw the Marauders drain 11 treys in 22 attempts. Zander was 4-of-8 behind the arc on her way to 21 points. The All-NSIC wing added five rebounds.
 
In her first game with the Marauders after earning All-NSIC honors last season at MSU Moorhead, McKeever drained both her trey attempts and was 5-for-8 from the floor. The graduate transfer guard scored 12 points and had three assists and three rebounds.
 
Ashton Kinnebrew totaled 11 points off the bench. The transfer from Bismarck State College rarely missed, finishing 2-of-3 on 3s, 3-of-4 overall and 3-of-3 at the free throw line.
 
The Marauders claimed the lead for good in the first period on a 7-0 run with Zander scoring all the points. She hit a pair of free throws, a jumper in the paint and a three ball to give UMary a 19-12 lead.
 
After taking a 37-28 lead at half, the Marauders blew the game open in the third. Schneider scored 11 points as UMary outscored Angelo State 28-18 to take a commanding 65-47 edge entering the 4^th quarter.
 
Keniah Williams scored 14 points for the Rambelles. Sawyer Lloyd added 13.
 
The Marauders shot 48.1% from the floor and was 20-of-26 from the free throw line. UMary held a 27-20 rebounding advantage. The Rambelles shot 43.1% overall, went 4-of-16 behind the arc and hit 13-of-17 at the line.
 
In the second of three games for the Marauders at the Tip Off Classic, UMary next faces host and 16^th ranked MSU Billings.
 
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