INDIANAPOLIS - Using a 16-0 run midway through the second half to solidify their lead, the Marian men's basketball team began their 2022-23 campaign with a victory Thursday night, defeating St. Xavier 92-64.
Marian's hot start to the season came on the opening possession of the game, as Christian Harvey came away with a steal and fast break layup in the first 16 seconds of play. Josh Bryan followed with an opening minute three pointer, helping the Knights get out to a 7-5 lead by the first media stoppage. Harvey and Hayden Langkabel knocked down shots after the break to jump the lead to six, as Marian was able to came a firm three possession lead following baskets by Brody Whitaker and Nolan Foster.
A second three from Bryan allowed the Knights to grow their lead to double figures by the 10 minute mark of the half, as they continued to find holes in the St. Xavier zone defense. The Cougars would claw back despite falling behind by as many as 18 points in the first half, as they knocked down multiple three's to inch within eight. Bryan and Langkabel woud match the efforts to help jolt the score back to 15, but St. Xavier made one final push, scoring the half's final four points at the foul line to cut the lead to eight at the break.
Coming back out from halftime with a 47-39 lead, Marian went back to the three-point arc as Bryan and Langkabel each drained a pair of deep shots in the first six minutes. Five points from Luke Gohmann in the spurt had Marian back in front by 17, while Langkabel's third three of the half gave Marian a 69-51 advantage with 12:36 to play. The Cougars would inch back within 16 points at the 12-minute mark, but would not come any closer as the Knights' defense took the life out of their opponents.
A layup from Gavin Foe sparked the game's biggest run, as Luke Heady, Harvey, and Taeshon Cherry all contributed in a 16-0 run that lasted over five minutes. Marian's run capped as Maximus Gizzi drained a three, surging the advantage to 32 points. With the commanding 85-53 lead at hand, the Knights were able to coast through the final seven minutes, getting scores from Foster and Rowen Farrell in the waning minutes to run out the 92-64 victory.
Marian shot an effective 52.2 percent from the field, getting 27 assists on 35 made baskets. The Knights made 17 of their 36 shots from three, with Bryan and Langkabel each making five. The two shooting guards each scored a team-high 17 points, while Harvey added 12 and Cherry scored 10 off the bench. Jackson Ames scored six points and grabbed a team-leading nine rebounds in his Marian debut, and Gohmann and Heady each led Marian with five assists.
The Knights will finish the week with an exhibition contest at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, as Marian will take on NCAA #13 Indiana Unviersity on Saturday, with tip scheduled for 3 p.m.
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