BOX SCORE

BISMARCK, N.D. – University of Mary held Southwest Minnesota State to a season-low 28 percent shooting to earn a 60-48 victory on Friday night in Bismarck, N.D.

The victory was the first for the Marauders versus SMSU in eight all-time games.

UMary (11-4, 7-4 NSIC) earns it fourth straight victory and sixth in the last seven games. SMSU, after opening the NSIC season 2-0, has lost seven of its last eight games, with six coming on the road, and falls to 6-8, 3-7 NSIC.

UMary was led by Anthony Moody's 18 points and six rebounds, while Eric Erdmann and Baley Johnson each added 10 points.

SMSU was paced by Matt Zager with 12 points, while Scott Roehl chipped in with 10 points and 10 rebounds. It was Roehl's seventh double-double of the season.

The Mustangs, which were held scoreless during a seven-minute stretch in the first half, connected on just 16 of 56 shots in the game, including 3 of 14 from 3-point range.

Both teams struggled from the field in the opening half as the two squads combined to make just 13 of 53 shot attempts, as UMary built a 21-17 halftime lead.

SMSU was held scoreless to begin the game for nearly four minutes until Matt Zager connected on a field goal with 16:13 left in the half. Scott Roehl gave SMSU a 6-3 lead with a pair of free throws until UMary rallied with a 7-0 run to take a 10-6 lead with 13 minutes remaining.

The Mustangs countered with a 9-3 run over the next two and a half minutes to take a 15-13 lead following five straight points by Zager, including completing a three-point play.

SMSU and UMary then went ice-cold from the field as SMSU was held scoreless for the next seven minutes. UMary meanwhile scored just three during a seven-minute stretch to keep the game close and held a 19-15 lead, before Roehl snapped the scoreless string for SMSU with a basket at the 3:12 mark.

Southwest Minnesota State will close out the first half of the conference season tomorrow night taking on Northern State starting at 8 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D.