BISMARCK, ND – Narrowly missing on a pair of shots in the closing seconds, including a 3-point attempt for the win that rimmed out at the buzzer, the University of Mary men's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 72-70 loss at home to Bemidji State University. The incredibly close contest featured nine lead changes and six ties.
 
Ty Rogers posted a team-high 19 points for UMary, one of four Marauders to score in double figures. The junior forward was efficient all game, making 3-of-4 shots from behind the arc and 7-of-11 from the floor overall. He also hit both his free throws and added five rebounds and two steals.
 
Xavier Lewis, Rich Ashu and Gunner Swanson scored ten points each. Lewis hit 5-of-6 shots from the floor and grabbed four boards. Swanson nailed a pair of treys in three tries and was 4-for-5 overall. Ashu hit half of his 10 shots, snared four rebounds and dished four assists.
 
Jeremiah Jones scored nine points, had a team-leading six rebounds and added three assists and three steals.
 
Taking advantage of scoring from four different players, UMary used a 12-0 run in the first half to take a 39-30 lead in the first half and went into intermission leading 39-38.
 
The Marauders grew their lead to 47-40 on a hook shot on the paint by Lewis but UMary couldn't shake Bemidji State. The Beavers tied the game three times before taking a 63-61 lead with five minutes to play on a John Sutherland basket after grabbing an offensive rebound.
 
A Rogers layup tied the game with 3:23 remaining before Jareon Mayo hit a couple free throws plus a basket following a Sutherland steal to give BSU a 4-point lead.
 
An Ashu basket cut the UMary deficit to 67-65. Following another BSU basket, Jones nailed a 3-pointer to pull UMary within one point. The Beavers retaliated with a trey of their own for a 72-68 lead before Ashu scored again with 1:21 to play and closing the deficit to 72-70.
 
Following missed 3s by both teams, Rogers stole the ball with just over 30 seconds to play. Looking to tie the game, a shot by Ashu on the blocks just missed and BSU grabbed the rebound with 11 seconds to play. With six seconds left, UMary fouled Jalen Patterson, who proceeded to miss the front end of a 1-and-1 with Rogers grabbing the rebound.
 
Jones, taking a quick outlet pass from Rogers, raced downcourt and found himself alone on the right wing, elevating behind the arc for a 3-pointer with just over a second showing on the clock. The ball went partway down but refused to fall, rimming out as time expired on the Marauders final game of the 2024 calendar year.
 
Daxton Dayley led BSU with 20 points and 10 rebounds, hitting five treys in the game. Mayo added 14 points and Sutherland 13.
 
UMary finished +4 in turnovers (7 to 11) and both teams had 33 rebounds with the Marauders outscoring the Beavers 36-28 in the paint. The two teams combined to shoot 14 free throws with UMary making all four of its attempts.  
 
Following some down time for Christmas break, the Marauders return to action Friday, January 3, when UMary opens the new year at home against Minnesota State University, the defending national champions. Game time is 7:30 pm. In their first home weekend doubleheader of the season, the Marauders then host Winona State University on Saturday, January 4, at 5:30 pm. Tickets are available online at www.UMaryTickets.com.
 
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