BEMIDJI, MN – The University of Mary backcourt of
Gerald Gittens and
Zyon Smith combined for 40 points and 18 rebounds in a 78-62 road loss for the Marauders at Bemidji State University. Both Marauders fell just a rebound shy of double doubles.
Gittens, in his first season with the Marauders, posted career-high figures in points and rebounds. The junior from Brooklyn, NY, finished with a game-high 25 points with nine rebounds. He splashed four treys in seven attempts and was 10-of-17 from the field overall. Gittens also had three assists. He has reached double figures in scoring in 10 of 11 games this season and has cracked 20 points twice.
Smith paired 15 rebounds and nine rebounds. The senior from Montgomery, AL, had nine rebounds for the second straight game, equaling his career-high. Smith hit two treys in the game and scored in double figures in nine of 11 outings.
Overall nine Marauders scored in the game.
The Marauders closed the first half with a 13-4 run that featured baskets from four different players, including back-to-back baskets for
Liam Dougherty and a triple at the halftime buzzer by Gittens to send UMary into intermission down 34-30.
A pair of free throws by Smith a minute into the second half continued the Marauders surge and closed the UMary deficit to two points.
Following a defensive stop, the Marauders had a chance to take the lead but just missed on a three-pointer. The Beavers followed with a basket and kept a two-possession advantage the remainder of the game.
The Marauders (5-6 overall, 1-5 Northern Sun) defense made the Beavers (7-4, 3-2 NSIC) work for their points as BSU shot just 43.3% for the game, including an 8-for-27 effort behind the arc.
Rich Ashu posted three blocks for UMary and also had four rebounds.
BJ Davis led the Beavers with 21 points and Dalton Albrecht had 20 points and 13 rebounds.
The Marauders return home to host Valley City State University in a non-conference contest on Monday, December 18. Tip off on Special Olympics of North Dakota Night is 5:30 pm at the McDowell Activity Center. It's UMary's final contest of the 2023 calendar year.
#marauders#
