BISMARCK, ND – Facing a nationally-ranked team for the fourth consecutive Saturday home game, the University of Mary men's basketball team pushed #17 University of Minnesota Duluth early before faltering in a 79-54 loss to the Bulldogs in the Marauders final home game of the 2023-24 season.
Zyon Smith, who was honored on Senior Day and received the Kevin Olson Award prior to tipoff, led the Marauders in scoring with 12 points on the night. He hit a pair of treys and had three rebounds in his final game at the McDowell Activity Center.
Alex Mattes added 10 points. The freshman guard was 2-for-3 behind the arc and made 4-of-5 shots overall.
Rich Ashu added eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
Marquel Saleek came off the bench to deliver a team-high five assists.
Overall, nine Marauders scored in the game.
Drew Blair led the Bulldogs with 24 points and Jack Middleton added 16.
UMD (22-5, 17-4 NSIC) scored the first 12 points of the game. UMary (7-19 overall, 2-18 NSIC) fought back, using a 13-4 run capped by a
Gunner Swanson trey to pull within 24-19. The Bulldogs regained a double digit lead shortly and remained ahead the remainder of the game.
This was the 7
th time this season the Marauders have faced a nationally-ranked team.
The Marauders close out the season with a pair of road games, playing at Augustana February 24 and at Wayne State College on Saturday, February 25.
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