SIOUX CITY, Iowa – No. 3 seeded Marian showed what March basketball is all about as they survive and advance after defeating No. 2 seeded Westmont 68-57 on Monday afternoon in the NAIA Round of 16. Marian's win advances them to the NAIA Quarterfinals with a 29-5 record, sending the Knights to the final eight teams for the second straight season.
Kinnidy Garrard gave the Knights some instant offense to start the first quarter by scoring less than 15 seconds into the game. The post duo of Garrard and Abbey McNally got the offense cooking for Marian as the two helped their team to a 10-1 lead five minutes into the game. Westmont responded with back-to-back buckets, but once again it was Garrard and McNally answering to put their team back on top by seven before Ella Collier finished in the paint with 17 seconds left. A three-pointer by the Warriors put a cap on the first quarter with the Knights holding the 16-10 lead after one.
Marian continued their offensive efficiency to start the second quarter with Garrard and McNally grabbing the first four points. Collier would hit the triple at the 7:02 mark before a slight scoring drought hit for both teams over the next several minutes. A pair of free throws from Tamia Perryman got the offense going again to help outscore the Warriors 8-7 to close out the quarter. Going into the break the Knights held the 31-24 lead.
After halftime, Marian picked back up where they left off with Collier hitting the jumper in the lane to spark the 6-2 run and grabbing an 11-point lead. Westmont managed to cut the deficit to eight at the 4:21 mark behind a small run, but the Knights didn't falter as they stayed executing their game plan. A three-pointer by Collier and a last second shot by Allison Bosse put Marian up 53-40 to end the third quarter, sending the Knights to the final quarter of play with all the momentum.
Marian was functioning on cylinders all game and nothing changed in the fourth quarter as the Knights grew their lead to 19 after Bosse canned the three-pointer from the corner with 6:09 to play. Westmont scored the next four points until Marian got scores from Garrard, Bosse, and Collier to extend their lead to yet again. The Warriors never stopped fighting, but the Marian offense was too hot and the defense proved to be a problem, allowing the Knights to pick up the 68-57 victory.
Marian's defense played a vital role in their win as they held Westmont nearly 15 points below their season average. Offensively, the Knights were led by Garrard who scored a career-high 20 points while pulling down 10 rebounds for the double double. Collier and McNally each added 16 points, while McNally corralled seven rebounds. Bosse was the fourth double digit scorer for Marain with 12 points, going 5-9 from the floor.
Marian will take on No. 1 seed Central Methodist in a rematch from last season on Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET. This is the Knights' fourth appearance in the NAIA Quarterfinals.
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