by BISMARCK, ND – A huge second half performance led the University of Mary women’s basketball team to a big win over in-state rivals Minot State in the NSIC opener. The Marauders scored 47 second half points in their 66-50 win over the Beavers. A quartet of Marauders scored double-digit points during the game with Cassie Askvig leading the way with 19. Macy Williams, Coral Gillette, and Lauren Rotunda completed the quartet of double figure scorers, each posting 11 points.
With the win the Marauders improve to 7-3 on the season and 1-0 in NSIC play. The Beavers fall to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
FIRST HALF BREAKDOWN
A slow scoring start by the Marauders led to them trailing 25-19 heading into the half. Minot State jumped out to their largest lead of the game, nine points, in the second quarter. UMary chipped away at the Beavers lead, heading to the half down six. The Marauders shot 30 percent from the field and 22 percent from deep in the first half with the Beavers knocking down 44 percent of their field goal attempts in the first half. Coral Gillette (MHA Nation/SRST) led the team with six first half points. Rotunda added five of her own.
SECOND HALF BREAKDOWN
A second half scoring explosion by the Marauders led them to outscoring by the Beavers by 22 points in the half to win the game by 16 points. Three’s by Rotunda and Williams and then a layup by Askvig kicked off the second half with an 8-0 Marauders run to take the lead. UMary closed out the third quarter on an 8-2 run to take a 10 point lead heading into the fourth quarter. A 14-5 run to start the fourth allowed the Marauders to take a 19 point lead, the largest of the game. Clutch free throw shooting down the stretch, knocking down 15 of 18 free throws in the second half, led UMary to a 16 point win. Askvig led the team with an impressive 17 point second half.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Cassie Askvig scored 19 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and a steal
Coral Gillette posted 11 points on 50 percent shooting from deep, adding three assists
