HUNTINGTON, Ind. - The Marian women's basketball team picked up another Crossroads League win Saturday afternoon after defeating Huntington 71-63 inside Platt arena. With the win, the Knights move to 5-0 in league play and 11-1 overall on the season.
It was Huntington coming out with the hot start as they knocked down a three to get things started, propelling them to the 5-2 advantage. Abbey McNally hit two shots to cut deficit to 5-4, but the Foresters hit back-to-back threes to get their lead back up 10-4. Ella Collier and McNally answered back as the duo combined for six points to tie things up at 10-10. Huntington continued to put the offensive threat on the Marian defense as they ended the quarter ahead 17-12 after a 7-3 run to close out quarter one.
The second quarter was a different story with Marian outscoring Huntington 23-10. McNally got things rolling with jumper 15 seconds into the quarter, sparking a 12-0 run for the Knights to take the four-point lead at 24-17 before the hosts canned a three-pointer to end the run. The two teams traded points for the remainder of the quarter, but it was Collier knocking down the shot and Jayla Wehner hitting two from the free throw line to take the 35-27 lead into the break.
After halftime, Collier and McNally scored the first five points for Marian to advance the lead to 13. However, the Foresters continued to fight as Gabi Melby hit the jumper to fuel a 6-2 run before Marian found two points from Collier canning the freebies. Kenna Kirby gave the Knights a spark as she came in and scored five points in the third quarter, but it was Huntington closing out the quarter with the last six points to cut the deficit to six at 49-43.
Marian's defense was put to the test in the fourth quarter as Huntington continued to claw their way back starting with a Celeste Ryman three-pointer to make it only a three-point Marian lead. Two free throws by Collier put the lead back up to 51-46 in favor of Marian. A basket by the hosts cut lead back down to three but once again it was Collier answering with a three-pointer before McNally came back with two baskets of her own to give Marian the 58-48 lead with 5:26 left to play.
Huntington would not back down though as they got within four after hitting three three-pointers and layup with 14 seconds left to play. Collier hit her four free throws at the end to help the Knights hold of a pesky Forester squad, winning 71-63.
Collier led the way for Marian with 23 points to go along with four rebounds and two steals. McNally added 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while Kirby scored 13 points off the bench and had three steals. Aliyah Evans added eight points and Wehner had four points and three assists.
Marian will have the week off before taking on IU East on the road on December 17 at 1 PM.
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