BISMARCK, ND – Poor shooting plagued the University of Mary women's basketball team (7-4, 4-3 NSIC) against the defending national champions, falling 69-63 in a hard-fought battle to #10 Minnesota State University, Mankato (12-2, 8-0 NSIC).

Ryleigh Wacha posted 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists on 7-of-16 shooting from the field. Bergan Kinnebrew contributed 15 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Moriku Hakim came off the bench to record seven points, making all two of her field goal attempts. Addison Rozell went 3-of-4 from the floor to score six points while also recording six rebounds and two blocks.

UMary shot 35.8 percent from the field and 5-of-27 from behind the arc, while BSU recorded a 46.4 shooting percentage and went 3-of-12 from the three. The Marauders struggled from the line, going 10-of-21 from the charity stripe. The Mavericks shot 14-of-22 from the free-throw line.

Both teams exchanged leads in the first quarter, with MSU holding a 16-15 advantage at the end of one. The Mavericks extended their lead in the second quarter, taking a 31-26 lead going into halftime.

The Marauders rallied back in the third quarter as Ryleigh Wacha scored seven points to help give UMary a 45-44 lead over MSU. The Marauders held a lead as big as six in the fourth quarter, but a 14-5 run by the Mavericks ended the game to seal a 69-63 victory for MSU.

UMary won the turnover battle against MSU 22-20. The teams were even on the glass as both recorded 42 rebounds.

The Marauders stay at home in the McDowell Activity Center as they welcome Winona State University on Saturday, January 4, at 3:30 pm.

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