BISMARCK, ND - The University of Mary Women's Basketball team (13-11, 12-9 NSIC) gave the hometown crowd a thriller in the final regular season game in the McDowell Activity Center. Megan Zander set a new career-high in a spectacular performance, pacing the Marauders with 28 points. Despite a valiant effort all the way to the final buzzer, Northern State University (16-11, 11-10 NSIC) held on to win 63-62. 

The first quarter set the tone for an exciting basketball game. A late three-pointer by Megan Voit gave UMary a one-point edge at the end of a tight first quarter 18-17. 

Megan Zander put on a show in the first half, shooting 6-7 (85.7%) for 17 points. Northern State pulled ahead of UMary in the second for a modest 32-28 lead entering halftime. Rianna Fillipi led the Wolves charge with 11 points. 

Northern State started the second half strong, pulling ahead 44-33 midway through the third quarter. Some big scores by Hakim, Wacha, and Zander quickly narrowed the gap. Despite the late Marauders uproar, the Wolves still clutched to a 4-point lead, 50-46 entering the final ten minutes. 

Another crucial three by Voit and a Zander-to-Hakim connection kept the Marauders at the Wolves heels 60-61 with under a minute and a half remaining. With 48 ticks to go, Megan Zander drove inside the paint to bank in a layup, electrifying the MAC and giving the Marauders a one-point lead. 

Northern State's Kailee Oliverson drew a foul on an offensive rebound and capitalized with a pair of free throws to put the Wolves back in front with 0:05 left, trading the lead for the eighth time in the game. The Marauders could not get a shot off on the ensuing drive and fell 63-62 in the end. 

UMary outshot Northern State 44.7% to 37.5%, but the Wolves rebounding proved to be a difference maker as they won the matchup at the boards 35-28. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Megan Zander set another career-high in scoring with an outstanding 28-point night Thursday. Zander efficiently shot 66.7% from the field and had four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.

Addison Rozell finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Moriku Hakim was close to a double-double night with nine points and nine boards. 

UP NEXT
The Marauders will play their final regular season contest Saturday at 5:30 at MSU Moorhead(13-12, 10-11 NSIC). With tonight's loss, the Marauders are out of contention for a first-round bye to the NSIC Quarterfinals at the Sanford Pentagon. However, they are still in line for one more game in the MAC, hosting an NSIC first-round postseason game next Wednesday night as it currently stands. 

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