Portsmouth, Ohio - Trailing by as many as 11 in the first half, the Marian men's basketball team overcame their first halftime deficit of the season and rallied to take down Shawnee State 72-67. Marian's comeback win improves the team to 5-0 overall.
The Knights got out to a hot start in the opening minute, getting five quick points from Taeshon Cherry and Christian Harvey. Shawnee State would get on the board and tie the game twice in the next three minutes answering a Hayden Langkabel three, but the second of two Tre Baumgardner III deep shots gave the Bears a lead. Shawnee would hold the lead as Baumgardner III heated up, but Cherry and Brody Whitaker would answer as the half wore on to give Marian brief stints with the lead.
Shawnee State took control of the final 9:14 in the first half, using an 11-0 run over a 90 second window to take a double-digit lead. The Bears held their lead and pulled in front by 11 with 3:25 to play in the period, but were unable to keep command as Langkabel, Josh Bryan, and Cherry teamed up to score the final seven points for Marian. The run in the final two minutes allowed Marian to go into the locker room trailing 38-34 at halftime.
The Knights pushed their run to 10 consecutive points as Luke Gohmann canned a trey to start the second half, as Marian moved within one. The two sides traded scores for the following two minutes, with Marian able to break through after getting a stop on the defensive end. The stop led to a three from Bryan at the 16:11 mark to put the Knights on top 45-44, and Marian held their lead for two minutes of game time until Latavious Mitchell put down a dunk.
With 13:23 remaining in the game, Harvey drained a pair of foul shots after getting fouled on a putback, putting Marian in front for good. The game went two minutes without a score until Cherry broke the ice with a layup, and with 7:18 to play Marian built their lead to eight following a bucket from Luke Heady. Shawnee State put together a rally as they used a 7-0 run to make it a one-possession game and would tie the score on a Jaiden Guice three, but the Knights stayed composed as Cherry answered with a score.
Cherry put Marian on top 64-62, with Marian growing their lead to six as the clock neared the two-minute mark. The Bears would inch within three points on two occasions, but in the final 30 seconds Langkabel sank four free throws to ice the win, as Marian brought home the 72-67 win.
Marian shot 42 percent from the floor and a season-high 84.6 percent from the free throw line, holding Shawnee State to 38 percent from the field. Cherry had his best game as a Knight, leading all players with 20 points and 13 rebounds, collecting three blocks as he posted his second double-double. Harvey finished with 12 points and four assists, and Langkabel scored 11 in the win.
Marian will return to action on Saturday, November 19 as they travel to Taylor University for a 1 p.m. tip in their Crossroads League opener.
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