BISMARCK, ND - An unrelenting attack combined with a high-energy defense carried the University of Mary men's basketball team to a 95-74 win over visiting Concordia-St. Paul. Zyon Smith led UMary in scoring with 18 points as six Marauders reached double figures.
 
The Marauders overwhelmed the Golden Bears in the paint, outscoring CSP 48-20. Always looking to run, UMary held a 25-11 edge in fast break points, leading to an impressive shooting night for the Marauders. UMary connected on 60% of its shots for the game, including a 74% effort after intermission as the Marauders grew a 2-point lead at the break to a 23-point advantage in the second half.
 
Down nine points at 49-40 in the second half, the Marauders used a 13-3 run to take a 53-52 lead on a layup by Xavier Lewis. After a couple ties and exchanges of the lead, the Marauders moved in front for good at 59-57 on a pair of Gerald Gittens free throws.
 
UMary (7-18 overall, 2-17 NSIC) then buried Concordia-St. Paul (9-17, 4-16) with an 18-4 run. Nick Harrell scored six of the first eight Marauders points with the freshman posting three fastbreak baskets in the paint.  
 
In addition to his 18 points, Smith also had four rebounds and an assist.
 
Gittens finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Ty Rogers scored 11 points and Alex Mattes 10 as the freshman hit a pair of treys.
 
Xavier Lewis and Marquel Saleek provided scoring punch off the bench with 11 points each. Lewis led the Marauders dominant 44-29 edge in rebounds with a game-high nine boards.
 
Gunner Swanson and Harrell both added eight points in reserve roles. Swanson also had five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
 
Overall eight Marauders had at least eight points in the game and nine scored.
 
John Grigsby had a game-high 22 points for the Golden Bears. Sean Mathieau added 18.   
 
The win was the first for the Marauders in 2024 and snapped a 12-game winless streak.
 
The Marauders wrap up the home schedule with Senior Day on Saturday, February 17, when UMary hosts #17 University of Minnesota Duluth. Tipoff is 5:30 pm at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
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