INDIANAPOLIS - For the 11th time in program history, the Marian women's basketball team has punched their ticket to the NAIA National Tournament Final Site, as the Knights pieced together a strong second half to take down Stephens College in the NAIA Tournament Second Round. Marian's 30th consecutive victory after defeating Stephens 63-49 gives them a 32-1 overall record entering the Round of 16.

Despite one of their worst offensive starts of the season, the Marian women's basketball team managed to hold a lead after the first quarter, as free throws kept the home team in the game. Stephens scored the first four points of the night, but a string of free throws from Allison Bosse and Tamia Perryman helped Marian take a 6-4 lead. Bosse and Perryman would add to the lead with three more shots at the charity stripe before the quarter's end, and strong defense over the quarter allowed the Knights to win the low-scoring 9-6 struggle. The Knights held the Stars to a 3-12 performance from the field in the first quarter.

Marian would see a pair of shots miss to start the second quarter as their offensive woes continued, but a new energy came about the arena 72 seconds into the period as Tamia Perryman drained an open three to get the offense moving. Perryman found another score in a 9-0 run, while Bosse drove to the rim to cap the scoring frenzy, hitting her 1000th career point in the process. With a double-digit lead at hand, Marian continued to attack Stephens, as shots began to fall at ease. Ella Collier drained four consecutive free throws to give Marian a 26-14 lead with 98 seconds to play before half, and after willing through a Stephens push, a three-point play from the senior made the halftime score 31-19.

The Knights put their offense together as the second half began, opening the third quarter with inside scores from Kinnidy Garrard and open shots from downtown by Ella Collier. The early assault allowed Marian to increase their lead to 18 points, and after withstanding a 5-0 spurt from the Stars, the Knights attacked once more with Garrard and Collier shouldering the offense. The scoring from the seniors allowed Marian to build an 18-point lead by the end of the period, pushing in front 49-31 heading into the fourth quarter.

In the final quarter, Marian left no doubt and put the game in their hands, getting an early score from Garrard to take a 20-point lead, while Bosse and Aliyah Evans followed with open scores. The Knights defense forced multiple contested looks from Stephens that fell short, as Marian was able to maintain their double-figure lead on the board. with 4:40 to play Abbey McNally scored to give Marian a 59-37 lead, and after gaining their largest lead of the evening, the home team was able to put the game to rest, bleeding out the clock as they closed the NAIA Tournament Second Round 63-49 victors.

Marian's final home game of the season faced offensive challenges as they shot 36 percent from the field in the game, but a 90 percent clip from the foul line helped Marian to victory as they were 27-for-30 at the stripe. Collier and Bosse led the team in scoring with 15 points each, and Garrard posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Tamia Perryman scored 12 points off the bench while snagging five rebounds, and Bosse led the team in assists with four. 

With her 15 points, Allison Bosse eclipsed 1000 career points, becoming the 25th player in program history to do so. 

Marian will play either Lewis Clark State or Jamestown in the NAIA Tournament Round of 16. Marian tips at 2:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 21, at the Tyson Events Center.

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