BISMARCK, ND – Just prior to the introductions of the starting lineups, a fire alarm sounded in the McDowell Activity Center and delayed the opening tip off by nearly 20 minutes. Once the game commenced the University of Mary women's basketball team proved unstoppable as the Marauders overwhelmed visiting MSUM Moorhead 87-54.
The victory moves the Marauders (17-9 overall, 13-5 Northen Sun) into a 3-way tie for second place in the NSIC standings with Northern State and Southwest Minnesota State with two weeks and four games remaining.
Bergan Kinnebrew led the Marauders in scoring with a career-high 18 points, one of five Marauders in double figures for points. The freshman was nearly perfect, hitting 5-of-6 shots overall – including 2-of-3 behind the arc – and sank six of eight free throw attempts.
Ashton Kinnebrew, Bergan's older sister, also came off the bench and added 11 points, downing three treys. Overall the Marauders bench scored 36 points.
Reigning NSIC Player of the Week
Lexie Schneider added 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists in just 20 minutes,
Mariah McKeever posted 14 points – 11 in the first half – and had five rebounds and three steals.
Megan Zander nearly had a double double with 13 points and nine rebounds. She also had four assists and two steals.
UMary owned the first half in every facet, outscoring MSUM 47-29 in the opening 20 minutes. The Marauders shot 48.5% overall and drained five treys. UMary also hit 10-of-12 free throws. Defensively the Marauders forced the Dragons to commit 11 turnovers, resulting in a massive 16-2 edge in points off turnovers. Additionally UMary limited MSUM to a 40.7 shooting percentage and a 1-for-8 effort behind the arc.
The Marauders ended both the first two quarters with late baskets.
Mariah McKeever stole the ball and hit a jumper at the buzzer to end the first period and provide UMary a 25-15 lead. A putback by Moriah Hakim with two seconds left before half gave the Marauders their 18 point advantage heading into intermission.
UMary kept rolling in the third with perhaps the Marauders best period of the day, outscoring the Dragons 23-8 and building a 35-point lead at 70-35.
The Marauders finished the game shooting 45.5 percent overall with an 8-for-25 effort behind the arc and 19-for-23 effort at the line. The Dragons converted just 35.6% from the floor, hit 1-of-10 treys, and was 11-for-21 at the line.
UMary finished with a 47-36 rebounding edge and outscored MSUM 25-2 on points off turnovers.
Abby Berge came off the bench to lead the Dragons (9-14, 9-9 NSIC) in scoring with 13 points.
The Marauders continue their home stand Friday, February 16, when UMary hosts Concordia-St. Paul in a 5:30 pm tilt at the McDowell Activity Center. The Golden Bears are 1/2 game behind the Marauders in the NSIC standings with a record of 13-6.
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