BISMARCK, N.D. --- It went down to the final minute Saturday evening, but it was the University of Mary that was able to come away with the win as the Marauders topped Minnesota State 65-60.
With the loss, the Mavericks drop to 10-6 on the season, including a 4-6 NSIC record. With the win, the Marauders improve to 7-11, including a 6-7 conference record.
A little more than six minutes into the game the Mavericks held a 10-6 lead as four different MSU players reached the scoring column. UMary was then able to respond with a 9-2 run to go up 15-12 with 11:00 minutes to go in the half.
The Marauders managed to build a six point lead at 26-20 with 4:22 to go in the half. MSU would then finish the half on a 9-0 run over the final 4:22, including a three pointer from freshman
Harrison Braudis in the closing seconds to take a 29-26 lead into the locker room.
Sophomore
Shawn Hopkins led the Mavericks in the first half with seven points and five rebounds, while freshman
Tyrell Stuttley netted six points. As a team, MSU shot 31.3% from the field, to go with a 7-of-10 performance from the line.
Gertautas Urbonavicius led all scorers in the first half with nine points, while hauling in four rebounds. As a team, UMary shot 44.4% from the field in the first half.
The second half would remain close throughout as the lead changed hands five times. With 9:54 both teams were knotted up ay 46-46, before MSU put together an 8-2 run to build a six-point lead at 54-48 with 7:17 to go. The Marauders would then respond with a 7-0 run of their own to take a 55-54 lead.
The Mavericks would reclaim the lead at 60-59 after a layup from Hopkins with 1:11 to go, but the Marauders would score the final six points of the game, including four free throws, to lock down the 65-60 win.
Hopkins finished his night with a season-high 17 points, to go along with nine rebounds. Stuttley added 11 points and five rebounds also, while Braudis tallied 10 points.
As a team, MSU shot 36.7% from the field. The Mavericks also forced 17 UMary turnovers.
Matthew Johnson led the Marauders with 14 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Urbonavicius added 13 points and eight rebounds as well.
As a team, UMary shot 44.6% from the field, while hauling in 40 rebounds.
Minnesota State returns to Taylor Center on Friday as it hosts MSU Moorhead. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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