Goshen, Ind. - Fueled by an efficient 61 percent field goal percentage in the first half that led to a commanding lead at the break, the Marian men's basketball team was able to withstand a Goshen run in the second half as the Knights closed a 97-82 win over the Maple Leafs. Marian closes the week with a 18-5 overall record, as their season sweep of Goshen gives them an 8-5 Crossroads League mark.
The Knights opened the game on fire, opening on a 7-0 run with Hayden Langkabel scoring five in the fury. Langkabel's hot start continued through the media timeout as an old school three-point play and a make from downtown gave him 11 points in the first 5:28, pushing Marian on top 18-7. Gavin Foe and Christian Harvey helped keep the lead steady at four possessions as the duo answered a Goshen score on multiple possessions.
With 10:25 to play in the opening half Marian made their second commanding run, with Taeshon Cherry scoring six unasnwered in a 35 second stretch to push the lead to 14. Luke Gohmann capped the 8-0 run with a bucket of his own, and as the clocked ticked under eight minutes to go a Josh Bryan trey moved the cushion to 18 points. Bryan's second trifecta in the final 10 minutes helped soar Marian's lead to 28 points, as an 11-0 run played a hand in the move. The Knights would go into the halftime leading 58-33, closing the half strong as they shot over 60 percent from the field.
Marian started the second half just like the first, expanding their lead to as many as 34 points in the first three minutes led by scoring efforts of Harvey, Cherry, and Gohmann. The push helped Marian surge the lead to a 74-41 mark following a steal and score from Harvey, but Goshen kept attacking despite trailing by 33. A Caleb Wright score with 15:28 remaining sparked the home team, as quickly gradually went on a 17-0 run to cut the Knights' lead in half.
Goshen's run forced Marian to use a timeout, as the Maple Leafs offense showed new life. Bryan halted the run with an open three after the timeout, and with 8:44 to play Marian had regained control with Cherry and Langkabel combining on a 5-0 run to make it a 21-point margin. Byran added to the run, and the Knights were able to breath easy as the lead stayed 15 or more for the remainder of the game. Foe, Luke Heady, and Nolan Foster all played contributing roles to close out the 97-82 win, with Heady scoring five of his 10 in the final minute.
Marian finshed the game shooting 58 percent from the field, winning the battle on the glass by 11. Cherry led the Knights with 16 points, while Bryan had 15 and Langkabel scored 14. Harvey netted 13 points and a pair of steals, while Gohmann led the team with eight rebounds and five assists to go with his eight points. Each of the 10 active Knights that played scored four or more points in the win.
Marian will stay on the road for their next league game, heading north to take on Bethel on Wednesday, February 1, at 7:00 p.m.
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