WINONA, Minn. - Marian University men's basketball (1-0, 0-0 NACC) opened its season with a 75-63 win at Saint Mary's (Minn.).
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- The Sabres were able to start out strong scoring the first 10 points of the game.
- The Cardinals gradually chipped away at the Marian lead, but the Sabres led the entire half and went into halftime leading 29-26.
- The two squads went back-and-forth to start the second half with SMU taking its first, and only, lead of the game with 7:59 left to play at 49-48.
- Marian responded scoring the next eight points to retake the lead for good.
- The Sabres were able to pull away with a 12-3 run shortly after to lead by 12 with 1:47 left to play.
- Marian went 7-for-8 at the charity stripe over the final 1:32 to seal the 75-63 win.
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- Marian finished 30-of-61 (.492) from teh field but struggled beyond the arc only shooting 2-for-17 (.118).
- The Sabre defense held SMU to 21-of-62 (.339) shooting and 9-of-34 (.265) from beyond the arc.
- Marian was 17-of-27 (.630) in the second half and scored 46 points.
- The Sabres dominated in the paint finishing with a 52-20 edge.
- Marian has won all three meetings against the Cardinals.
- This is the third straight season Marian opens its season with a win.
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