iSIOUX FALLS, SD – A late fourth-quarter comeback would fall short for the University of Mary women's basketball team (9-6, 6-5 NSIC) as the Marauders were defeated 79-72 on the road by the University of Sioux Falls (10-8, 6-5 NSIC).

Ryleigh Wacha was excellent on both ends, dropping 18 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals. Wacha shot 7-of-11 from the field and 2-of-4 from three. Eden Fridley scored a season-high 14 points, shooting 4-of-5 from behind the arc.

Chloe Pfau posted 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting from three. Addison Rozell had nine points while going 4-of-6 from the floor.

The Marauders led for most of the first quarter, but a late run by the Cougars saw them take a 20-18 lead. USF extended the lead to 45-40 going into halftime. The Cougars led by as many as 14 in the third quarter before a three by Pfau and two free throws by Moriku Hakim cut the lead to nine.

A 16-7 run by the Marauders in the fourth quarter, led by Bergan Kinnebrew scoring eight points, saw the score tied at 71-71 with 3:36 remaining in the game. The Cougars responded by going on an 8-1 run to finish the game and grab the 79-72 victory.

UMary shot 27-of-61 (44.3%) from the field and 9-of-23 (39.1%) from behind the arc, while USF went 33-of-63 (52.4%) from the floor and 9-of-20 (45%) from three.

The Marauders went 9-of-15 (60%) from the free-throw line, and the Wildcats shot 4-of-9 (44.4%) from the charity stripe. UMary won the rebounding battle 36-31 over USF.

The Marauders head to Marshall, MN, to challenge #23 Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday, January 18, at 5:30 pm.

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