BISMARCK, ND – Stifling defense and a great performance by Chloe Pfau helped lead the University of Mary women's basketball team to a 62-50 victory over Bemidji State University. UMary (7-3, 4-2 NSIC) is currently on a four-game winning streak.

Chloe Pfau tied her career high in scoring with 20 points on an impressive 8-of-13 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 from three. Moriku Hakim recorded her second double-double of the season, posting 11 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Ryleigh Wacha found numerous ways to impact the game, posting seven rebounds, five rebounds, five points and three steals. Emily Jaenke came off the bench to provide six points, five rebounds and three assists.

The Marauders defense held BSU (3-7, 1-5 NSIC) to just 30.0 percent shooting from the field and 1-of-13 (7.7%) from behind the arc. The UMary bench unit remains dominant, outscoring the Beavers 41-16.

In the first quarter, UMary held a 16-14 lead over BSU. The Marauders defense stepped up in the second quarter, turning the Beavers over six times and holding them to 2-of-12 shooting from the field to take a 34-22 lead into halftime.

Pfau scored 16 of her 20 points in the second half to help UMary maintain its lead over the BSU. The Marauders lead got as big as 19 in the fourth quarter as the game finished with a 52-40 victory for UMary.

UMary shot 36.9 percent from the field and went 7-of-16 from three. The Marauders shot 7-of-12 from the free throw line, while the Beavers shot 13-of-18 from the charity stripe. UMary outrebounded BSU 48-41.

The Marauders return from Christmas break on Friday, January 3, at 5:30 pm against #13 Minnesota State University, Mankato, at home in the McDowell Activity Center.

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