BISMARCK, N.D. – Despite 25 points from
Mariah McKeever, MSUM was unable to come up with all of the answers against a hot University of Mary team. The Dragon women fell 83-75 to the Marauders in Bismarck Saturday afternoon.
The Marauders were able to jump out to an early 14-9 lead in the first quarter thanks to three made three-pointers. Mary would shoot 55.6 percent in the early going to build a lead early on the Dragons. While the Marauders would continue to hold the lead throughout the first quarter, MSUM lingered around enough to keep the score at 27-18 despite Mary blocking three Dragon shots in the frame.
Natalie Jens led the Dragons with seven first quarter points.
MSUM was able to climb back into the game by getting the ball inside and drawing fouls. The Dragons made three consecutive from the line to bring the score to within three points. With
Peyton Boom in foul trouble in the first half, MSUM relied heavily on young posts
Terryn Johnson,
Payton Bang and
Allisa Knight. The trio would combine to score a needed 10 points for MSUM in the first half.
The Dragons would take a 32-30 lead late in the half thanks to a
Mariah McKeever basket. MSUM would take a 37-34 lead into the locker room on the road. McKeever led the Dragons with nine points.
MSUM's offense picked up in the early stages of the third quarter, building on their three-point halftime lead. The Dragons would push their lead to eight midways through the frame despite Boom picking up her third foul. Once again, the MSUM underclassmen kept the Dragons in front with timely baskets from Johnson, Bang and
Kaila Youngs. As Mary tied the game at 49,
Mariah McKeever went on a personal 10-0 run late in the third to give the Dragons some breathing room. MSUM held a four-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
The two teams would trade one-point leads as the fourth quarter ensued. UMary would pull away as time dwindled thanks to a 15-2 run down the stretch. The Marauders would win the game with an 83-75 victory. Mary shot 51.6 percent from the field in the win and scored 28 points in the fourth quarter.
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Up Next
MSUM (4-3) hosts a pair of NSIC contests next weekend. The Dragons welcome Bemidji State on Friday and Minnesota Crookston on Saturday. Tip-off times are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. respectively.
