Sam Thiel/Winonan

Abby Busch led the way with 25 points, but the Winona State University women’s basketball team dropped its opening round matchup against University of Mary, falling 72-66 on Feb. 26 in Bismarck, N.D.

Busch, who had set the Warrior single-game record with 39 points in Winona State’s final game of the regular season, shot 8-of-25 from the field while hitting all eight of her attempts from the free throw line. The senior also grabbed nine rebounds while dishing out a couple of assists.

The Marauders claimed its largest advantage in the second half, taking a 12-point lead early. The Warriors would clawed their way back, knotting the game at 51 with a Connor Nagle layup. Winona State took the lead one possession later, with Tara Roelofs connecting on a three to give the Warriors a 54-51 advantage with 7:16 left.

The University of Mary reclaimed the lead with 3:44 to go in the contest, increasing its lead to as much as eight in the last minute. The Warriors made a late comeback, thanks to a layup by Nagle and a jumper by Busch to cut the deficit to just two, 68-66, with just 17 seconds left. Four free throws by the Marauders improved their advantage to the final score.

Kelsey Andrist matched her career-best with five made 3-pointers, ending her night with 19 points. Her point total was just one shy of her career-best, with the senior also snatching four rebounds and handing out three assists.

Nagle added nine points and six assists while Roelofs hit a couple of treys to score six. Caitie Zepczyk and Kate Hartman each recorded seven rebounds to add to the Warrior effort.

Winona State University finished its season with a 10-17 overall record.