Oskaloosa, Iowa - The Marian men's basketball fell behind by as many as 19 points to No. 8 seed Rio Grande, and despite getting within one point multiple times, the Knights were unable to take a lead as they fell to the Red Storm 79-75 in the NAIA Tournament First Round. Marian ends their season with a 21-10 overall record.

Rio Grande shot lights out in the first half, scoring their first four field goal attempts to pounce on top 11-5 in the first three minutes. Good baskets from Brody Whitaker and Luke Gohmann helped the Knights claw back within a score over the next minute, however Marian was unable to stay in a rhythm, going cold from the field over the ensuing two minutes after Gohmann's score. Rio took advantage of Marian's lull and pulled in front by two scores, gradually expanding the lead to nine points after seven minutes of play. 

Baskets from Whitaker and a score in the paint by Jackson Ames helped Marian keep with five points as they trailed 24-19, but a quick 5-0 run allowed the Red Storm push in front by double digits. Marian was able to get back within double digits after Hayden Langkabel knocked down a three, but Rio Grande answered with back to back baskets to surge back in front by double figures. Rio Grande continued to grow their lead, holding a 10-point lead or more for the remaining 6:44 of the half. The Red Storm led by as many as 19 in the half, but free throws from Gohmann and Taeshon Cherry helped Marian stay in the game. A three pointer from Trey Robertson at the buzzer allowed Rio to take a 52-35 lead into halftime, as they shot over 64 percent from the floor to Marian's 37 percent. 

Having been in the situation at times during the season, Marian slowly put their comeback into motion, holding Rio Grande scoreless for the first 2:32, while trimming within 12 points after back to back Taeshon Cherry buckets. Cherry and Whitaker carried the rally efforts, combining for all but two of Marian's points in the first eight minutes of the half as the duo got Marian back within nine points. A three from Josh Bryan broke the trend of Cherry and Whitaker scoring, and got the Knights within eight points, while a pair of stops and a Gohmann trey brought the visitors within five with 10:16 remaining.

Trailing 62-57, Marian continued to get stops on defense, forcing a turnover and missed layup after the media timeout, inching within two following Bryan's second make from deep. Maximus Gizzi and Whitaker made back to back scores to help inch within a point, but a scoreless drought of 2:30 allowed Rio Grande to stay in control, pushing back ahead by three to lead 67-64 with 4:12 remaining. Cherry ended the Marian drought to get back within a point and the two sides exchanged scores for a one minute series, with the Knights still finding themselves on the wrong end of a Red Storm bucket. With 2:23 remaining a 6-0 run helped Rio Grande go on top by seven, all but putting the game out of reach.

Marian would cut the deficit to five twice in the final 1:24, and a late three from Whitaker made it a four-point game with nine seconds remaining, however Marian was unsuccessful on a last minute heave, falling 79-75 and ending their season.

Marian shot 42 percent from the field in the game, making up for their first half woes by shooting 47 percent in the second half. Rio Grande ended the game shooting 54 percent from the field, knocking down six more three's than the Knights. 

Cherry led Marian in scoring in his final collegiate game, scoring 27 points on a 9-26 shooting night. Whitaker was a strong 9-13 from the field and ended with 19 points, and Gohmann scored eight wile grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds. 

Marian ends their season with a 21-10 overall record, having reached the NAIA Tournament for the sixth consecutive season.

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