INDIANAPOLIS - The sixth-ranked Marian women's basketball team needed a 23-point third quarter scoring outbreak to overcome an 11-point halftime deficit, as the Knights earned a come-from-behind 70-65 win over No. 11 University of the Cumberlands on Tuesday night. The ranked win gives Marian a 9-1 record on the season.
The opening stanza of the game opened at a back and forth pace, with
Allison Bosse helping pace the Marian offense as they pushed ahead 10-6. The senior drained a pair of three point shots to help Marian take the first grasp of control, and three free throws between Bosse and Collier extended the lead to seven points just over six minutes into the game, but a layup from Channing Lewis sparked a Patriot run. Cumberlands was able to take control of the game as they went on a 12-0 run that last 3:31 of game time, as they were able to take an 18-15 lead to the second period.
Marian would tie the game up early in the second quarter as they looked to make up for their late-first quarter struggles, getting offense from Bosse and
Josie Trabel. The Knights were unable to sustain their scoring however, as Marian managed just four points over the final 8:43 of game time in the first half, getting out-scored 15-4. The Patriots ended the first half shooting 44 percent and took advantage of the Knights' nine turnovers, going into halftime on top 35-24.
After halftime, Marian came out on fire, opening the third quarter on a one-sided 13-0 run. The Knights' leading scorer
Ella Collier found her offense scoring seven points in the run, making up for her two-point first quarter. Marian was also able to get the Cumberlands into foul trouble throughout the opening minutes of the third quarter which helped boost the run, as 10 points from the foul line.
Aliyah Evans and
Kinnidy Garrard found their offense in the third quarter as well, while Marian's defense limited the Patriots to just six points in the quarter, as Marian's 23 points gave them a 47-41 lead going into the final 10 minutes.
Marian stayed in control to start the fourth quarter, but had to fend off the Patriots as they attempted to mount a comeback, trading scores with the Knights for much of the period's first three minutes. Two three point makes from Destiny Haworth brought the score back to a deadlock at 53-53, but within 25 seconds Evans pushed Marian back on top with a jumper. The score would hold 55-53 for over two minutes as the lid slammed back on the basket, but
Ella Collier quickly got Marian back in the lead as she was able to earn a pair of trips to the foul line.
Collier's second set of free throw makes kept Marian in the lead for good, as she put the Knights in front by as many as six in the final four minutes as the Knights made their shots at the foul line to close the 70-65 win.
Despite turnover troubles for the team, Marian shot 43 percent from the field, and forced nine steals from the Patriots. Collier tied for a game-high 18 points in the win, adding five assists, two blocks, and a career-high six steals. Garrard scored 14 points and had nine rebounds, blocking four shots in the win. Bosse finished the game with 13 points and Evans had 14 points to lead the bench.
The non-conference path stays competitive for Marian, as they next take the court on December 16, hosting No. 13 Georgetown at 1:00 p.m.
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