Rio Grande, Ohio - The Knights led for just 68 seconds in the first half Saturday night, but found a second gear in the second half as Marian snapped Rio Grande's 10-game win streak with a 67-63 victory. Marian's win is their final in the 2022 calendar year, as they move into 2023 with a 13-2 record.
Rio Grande started the game strong, holding Marian scoreless through the first three minutes while they went on an 8-0 run. Three pointers from Josh Bryan and Luke Gohmann got Marian on the scoreboard as they answered the run, but foul trouble mounted as the Knights wasted four possessions in the first eight minutes after getting called for offensive fouls. Rio's lead would expand to as many as five in the first nine minutes, but the defensive clamps came out from Marian as they slowed RedStorm.
Taeshon Cherry found a rhythm on offense after returning from foul trouble with a quick score to make it a one-point game. Trailing 15-14 with under nine minutes before halftime, the Knights missed on opportunities to take their first lead of the game. Rio led by one possession over the next seven minutes, but were unable to complete their first half lead as Cherry and Jackson Ames scored back to back shots to give the Knights a 24-23 lead. Marian's first lead of the game lasted for one minute, as Rio would drain a three on their final possession to take a 26-24 advantage at the break.
The RedStorm pushed their lead to five coming out of the break, but shots from Gohmann and Bryan allowed Marian to even the score on separate occasions in the first four minutes. A three from Bryan helped Marian hold a narrow 36-34 lead, but the defense allowed a 5-0 run as Rio pushed back in front. Brody Whitaker and Cherry helped capture the lead once again but at the halfway point two Miki Tadic free throws jumped the home team in front 42-41.
Marian made their move after the timeout, taking control of the lead with 9:25 remaining on a three from Cherry. A Bryan three-pointer padded the lead and made it a six-point game, however another 5-0 run given up on the defensive end saw the margin trim to one. With 5:54 remaining Maximus Gizzi sunk a pair of free throws to keep Marian in control, as they were able to hold their lead thanks to free throws from Cherry and another Bryan three. Bryan's fifth made three of the second half shot the lead to seven points, as the 58-51 lead with 2:55 to play allowed Marian breathing room.
Christian Harvey and Whitaker helped Marian hold the lead at seven points, and was enough to withstand a late Rio push as Marian iced the win away at the charity stripe, capping the 67-63 victory.
After shooting a cold 29 percent from the field in the first half, Marian shot an even 50 percent in the second half, draining six three-pointers in the second half. Bryan poured in 20 points and made six of 15 three treys, leading all players in scoring. Cherry had nine rebounds to go with 16 points, and Whitaker led the bench with 12 points in 26 minutes. Gohmann grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds in the win, while he, Harvey, and Cherry each had a team-leading three assists.
Marian will return to Crossroads League play when they next take the court, traveling to Grace College on January 4 for a 7 p.m. game.
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