Marion, Ind. - The Marian women's basketball team put up a battle against the fifth-ranked Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats, but were unable to make a final comeback push as the Knights fell in the Crossroads League Tournament Championship game 81-71 on Monday night. Marian drops to 26-5 after falling in the league championship game.
The Knights went on the first run of the game, scoring inside and out as they opened with a 5-0 lead. Multiple turnovers would help the Wildcats get on the board, however a strong offensive presence from Abbey McNally kept Marian in rhythm as the freshman helped pad the 11-7 lead. With 3:42 remaining in the opening quarter the Wildcats made their move, knocking down an open three and then converting on a three-point play, as the six point swing gave the home team their first lead of the night. Ella Collier would answer the run with a trey of her own, however the scoring would go back and forth to end the quarter with Indiana Wesleyan remaining on top by a 20-17 margin.
In the second quarter the Wildcats pounced early, as Marian made unforced mistakes which allowed the home team to build a 10-point lead with 5:18 to play before the break. The Knights called for a timeout after falling behind 34-24, with the stoppage getting the team back into a flow on both ends of the court. Immediately out of the timeout Collier found McNally for an open two, while the freshman and Tamia Perryman each scored inside on the next trips down the court to keep the pace.
Collier, Allison Bosse, and Aliyah Evans would each score as Marian kept rolling, forcing an IWU timeout with 1:55 remaining as they had cut the deficit to a single score. The Wildcats would go on to score the final four points of the half after the timeout, as they held a 43-37 lead at the intermission.
Both teams shot the ball extremely efficient in the first half, with Marian's 9-for-11 second quarter putting them at 72 percent from the field in the game.
The two sides exchanged baskets on their opening trips to start the third quarter, with a pair of blocked shots from McNally keeping the Knights in the game on the defensive end. A three form Jayla Wehner would help Marian inch within five points, but the Wildcats answered with a 5-0 run to reclaim a double-digit lead. Indiana Wesleyan could not miss as the quarter waned, knocking down jumpers left and right as they grew their lead to as many as 16 in the third. Aliyah Evans would score the final basket of the quarter, but Marian would still find themselves trailing 66-52 going into the final quarter.
Consistent attacks from Tamia Perryman and Sara Majorosova helped the Knights whittle their deficit to 10 points within the first three minutes of the quarter, however Indiana Wesleyan remained on top, answering the pressure with open layups. Back to back scores from Collier and Evans cut the Knights hole to seven points as the clock ticked under five minutes remaining, as Marian aimed to make one final push. Trailing 75-68 with 4:17 remaining, the offense for Marian fell short, going scoreless for three minutes as a set of turnovers and missed shots spoiled the momentum.
The drought ruined the comeback chances, as Indiana Wesleyan knocked down four free throws to make it a double-digit lead, icing the game as Marian fell 81-71 to the Wildcats.
Marian shot 60.9 percent form the floor in the loss, however 15 turnovers played a role in the Wildcats pulling out the victory. McNally led the Knights in the defeat with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Collier scored 15 points playing the entire 40 minutes. McNally had six blocks and Collier had five steals, with Perryman leading the bench scoring with 11 points.
Marian will learn their pairings for the NAIA National Tournament First and Second Rounds on Thursday, March 2. The NAIA Selection Show will air on the NAIA YouTube Channel at 7:00 p.m.
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