INDIANAPOLIS - The undefeated start to the 2023-24 season for the Marian men's basketball team came to an end on Saturday afternoon in the PE Center, as the Knights fell in their Crossroads League opener to Grace College by an 86-75 final score. The Knights trailed by 23 as many as 23 points in the first half, but were unable to complete a second half comeback despite cutting the difference to five. Marian is now 5-1 overall on the season following the loss.

Grace threw the first punch of the game and took a 12-8 lead to the game's first media timeout, as Marian found themselves behind at the first media timeout. Brody Whitaker and Maximus Gizzi helped Marian to their first lead of the game in the opening three minutes, but the Lancers soared back, and carried their lead to 12 points through the next five minutes of the game as the Knights trailed 22-10 by the second media stoppage. 

Marian's woes from the field aided to the Lancers building a 14-point lead, as a stretch of nearly six minutes without a made field goal harmed the Knights on the scoreboard. Gus Etchison's second basket of the game helped Marian snap their drought, but the Lancers rattled back with 12 points after the bucket to take a 20-point lead. Grace continued to score from inside and out while the Knights failed to connect on a three-point field goal in the first half, holding their lead over 20 points for the for all but 40 seconds over the final 4:15 of the second half. The Lancers led 46-25 at the half, shooting 46 percent from the field while holding Marian to 36 percent.

The second half belonged to Marian early in the second half, as Jackson Ames, Whitaker, and Etchison hit the Lancers in the mouth with six unanswered points in the first 2:50 of the half. Grace finally got on the board in the second half, but Marian was able to hang as they prevented Grace from reclaiming a 20-point advantage in the second half. Marian whittled the difference back to 15 points once again as the clock closed in on 11 minutes to play in the game, inching within five possessions. 

The defense of Marian continued to pester Grace and force contested looks, but the Lancers proved their number-two ranking in the nation as they pulled back in front by 19 points. Still determined to fight, Marian pushed the Lancers, scoring inside and out with buckets from Whitaker, Etchison, and Ben Henderson. Nolan Foster and Gizzi chipped in during a 6-2 run bringing the Knights within 10, while a free throw from the junior Whitaker with 3:02 broke the double-digit barrier. A steal from Henderson and jumper from Josh Bryan brought the score within five with 63 seconds remaining, but a foul on the defensive end led to free throws for Grace College.

The Lancers buried eight free throws in the final minute of the game as Marian was unable to get clean stops on the defensive end, and despite being able to get within five points once more, three misses from the floor in the final 30 seconds from the home team sealed the Grace victory.

Marian turned their scoring around in the second half of the 86-75 defeat, shooting 57 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes of the game. Marian out-scored Grace 50-40 in the second half, and held a three-turnover advantage on the Lancers.

Whitaker ended the game leading all players with 24 points, while Etchison finished with 21 points. Gavin Foe, Jackson Ames, and Nolan Foster each had six rebounds, and Whitaker had the team's only blocked shot. 

Marian will look to rebound on Tuesday afternoon, as they travel to Spring Arbor for a 3 p.m contest.

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