SIOUX FALLS, SD – A career night by Alex Mattes led the University of Mary men's basketball efforts in the first of four straight road games for the Marauders. Providing a spark off the bench, Mattes delivered 19 points for the Marauders in a 70-63 UMary loss at Augustana University.
 
Mattes was on fire all night for UMary. The sophomore guard splashed all four of his attempts from behind the arc. The Woodbury, MN, native also earned six free throws and made five. Overall he was 5-for-8 from the floor in nearly 25 minutes of play.
 
His previous career-high was 15 last season at Wayne State College, the site of UMary's next game. The Marauders face the Wildcats on Saturday, January 11, in Wayne, NE. Tip off in the Northern Sun matchup between UMary and WSC is 5:30 pm.  
 
Two other Marauders also reached double figures in scoring. Kevin McGaskey posted 13 points, hitting a pair of treys and making all three of his free throws. He also had two assists. Jeremiah Jones also knocked down two 3s in the game on his way to 10 points. Jones matched Gunner Swanson for the team lead in rebounds with six and also delivered a pair of assists.
 
Down by as many as seven points in the first half, Mattes helped flip the script with a pair of treys and eight points during a 26-12 run. Matija Otasevic kicked off the run with a four-point play as he was fouled while hitting a trey and making the free throw. Mattes hit a trey to give UMary a 34-27 advantage for the Marauders biggest lead of the night. UMary soon entered intermission with a 36-33 lead.
 
Augie started fast in the second half, using an 11-1 run to claim a 44-37 lead. UMary closed within 49-46 on a McGaskey lead but was unable to get any closer the remainder of the game. Down by as many as 10, a pair of Mattes free throws and his last trey of the night pulled UMary to within 65-60 with 70 seconds to play. Augie then hit five of its next six free throws to hold off UMary.
 
Akoi Akoi led the Vinings with 15 points. Bennett Fried added 14.
 
The Marauders (4-14 overall, 2-7 NSIC) bench outscored the Vikings (8-8, 5-5) reserves 25-9 as Otasevic added six points to the 19 by Mattes. UMary hit 11 treys to four for Augie and held a slight advantage at the free throw line as the Marauders finished 16-of-23 with the Vikings making 14-of-22.
 
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