MARSHALL, MN – Facing the challenge of another nationally ranked foe, the University of Mary men's basketball team made an early run at #22 Southwest Minnesota State University before the Mustangs pulled away for an 81-55 win.
 
The Northern Sun contest featured eight lead changes and five ties.
 
In a back-and forth first half, Kevin McGaskey and Jeremiah Jones drained back-to-back treys to give the Marauders a 33-29 lead. The homestanding Mustangs soon regained their footing to take a 40-34 lead into intermission.
 
UMary (4-17 overall, 2-10 NSIC) used an 8-2 run featuring treys by Jones and McGaskey sandwiched around a Rich Ashu basket. SMSU (15-3, 10-2) responded with six straight points before the Northern Sun standings leader pulled away from the Marauders.
 
This was the sixth time this season the Marauders have played a team in the national rankings or receiving votes.
 
Jones led the Marauders in scoring, posting 15 points for the second straight game. He hit three treys, grabbed five rebounds and delivered three assists.
 
McGaskey also delivered three treys and scored 13 points. Ty Rogers added five points to his team-best eight rebounds. Xavier Lewis matched seven points with seven rebounds.
 
Jakob Braaten led SMSU with 25 points and eight rebounds. He hit three treys and delivered four assists. Mason Lund also connected three times behind the arc and added 18 points.
 
The Marauders return home after two straight weekends and four games on the road. UMary will host the University of Minnesota Duluth at 5:30 pm Friday, January 24, before hosting Concordia-St. Paul at 3:30 pm on Sunday, January 25.
 
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