Rochester Hills, Mich. - The Marian women's basketball team began a new chapter as they tipped off their 2024-25 season Wednesday night, taking down Rochester Christian 74-37 in the first game under head coach Suntana Anderson. The victory for Anderson is her first as a collegiate head coach.

Marian wasted no time jumping in front of Rochester Christian, scoring on their first possession of the game with an Abbey McNally layup. Abbey and her twin sister Kiley McNally paced a commanding 10-3 start, forcing a timeout from the Warriors within four minutes of play. The McNally twins and Taylor Double pushed the first quarter lead into double digits, with a Kiley McNally steal and fastbreak layup putting a 19-3 lead on the board, forcing a second timeout. Emily Grim scored her first collegiate points on the final possession of the quarter, capping a 26-5 opening period.

The scoring continued to come for Marian in the second quarter, as they added 13 points to their total over the next 10 minutes of the game. Marian's defense forced six turnovers in the second quarter, all while holding Rochester to a 4-13 shooting performance from the floor. Kiley McNally led the team in scoring in the quarter with six points, while Taylor Double, Kenna Kirby, and Abbey McNally chipped in offensively to give Marian a 39-14 lead at the half.

The third quarter continued to show the Knights own the contest, as Marian out-scored Rochester Christian 20-7 to build a 38-point lead after the first 30 minutes of the season. Taylor Double shined on the offensive end as she buried three triples and went 1-2 at the charity stripe to score 10 points, while Kirby and Abbey McNally each scored four points. Madisyn Bailey scored her first collegiate points in the quarter to aid the offense, while the defense dominate, holding the Warriors to a pair of made field goals on 13 attempts. 

Leading 59-21 entering the final quarter, the Knights rolled through their lineup and scored another 15 points, getting offensive help from Kenna Kirby and Olivia Faust. Kenna Gray dished out a pair of assists in the final quarter, helping her team lead by as many as 42 points. The Warriors would out-score Marian 16-15 in the fourth, but was not enough to threat the commanding lead, as the Knights closed their one-sided season-opening win 74-37.

Kenna Kirby led all scorers in the game and was one of four Knights in double figures, dropping a career-high 17 points while dishing out a team-best four assists. Taylor Double and Kiley McNally also scored career-highs, respectively pouring in 16 and 14 points. Abbey McNally finished the game with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double. Olivia Faust scored five points and had four rebounds in the season opener. Marian ended the game forcing a total of 22 Rochester turnovers, while holding the Warriors to 28 percent from the floor. 

Marian's victory marks the 14^th consecutive season in which the Knights have won their season opening game. The Knights return home to Indianapolis next Tuesday night for their home opener, taking on Oakland City. The game will be carried on the ISC Sports Network, and tip is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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