BISMARCK, ND – On a night when points were hard to find, the University of Mary men's basketball team delivered a hardnosed defensive effort in a 60-47 loss to visiting Winona State University.
UMary (4-13 overall, 2-6 Northern Sun) held Winona State (11-4, 6-3), the third highest-scoring team in the Northern Sun, to 20 points below the Warriors season average and 44 points fewer than WSU scored Friday in a triple overtime 113-104 loss at Minot State.
The 60 points allowed by UMary is the fewest for the Marauders in an NSIC game since holding Winona State to 59 points in a 67-59 home win over the Warriors on January 21, 2023. It equals the fewest points the Marauders have allowed in a game this season (68-60 UMary win at South Dakota Mines).
The Marauders held the Warriors to an 18-for-43 (41.9%) shooting effort, including a 3-for-22 night from behind the arc. Despite shooting just 24% for the game, UMary was 6-of-28 from 3-point range.
Winona State was incredibly productive at the free throw line, making 21-of-28. UMary earned just 16 free throws and made nine. The Warriors also held a 48-32 rebounding advantage.
The Marauders finished +10 on turnovers, losing the ball just twice while forcing the Warriors to commit 12.
With UMary struggling to find an offensive rhythm in the first half,
Ty Rogers sparked a 15-4 Marauders run to close out the first 20 minutes. Rogers opened the run with a trey and a layup.
Jeremiah Jones closed an initial 12-0 run with a trey to get UMary within 24-17. Rogers later nailed a corner 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the first half to send UMary into intermission down 28-20.
Points continued to be hard to find for both teams early in the second half. Facing a 12-point deficit, the Marauders closed within eight points three times, the first two times on
Kevin McGaskey free throws. With 7:54 to play, Jones hit his second trey of the game to pull UMary within 40-32. The Warriors responded with a 10-1 run over the next four minutes.
UMary made a late 8-2 run to close within 56-47 with 1:31 to play, keyed by a trey from
Gunner Swanson and a steal and a basket by
Alex Mattes. Winona State rattled home four straight free throws to end any Marauders hopes.
McGaskey, back in the Marauders lineup after missing Friday's game, led UMary with 13 points and four assists. Jones added 10 points, six rebounds and three steals. Rogers finished with eight points.
Isaiah Thomas paced the Warriors with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Connor Drew added 12 points and nine rebounds.
After playing their last three games at home, the Marauders now play four straight games on the road. UMary opens the road swing at Augustana on January 10 before visiting Wayne State College on January 11.
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