Xenia, Ohio - Playing in the championship game of the Athletes in Action Christmas Classic, the men's basketball team came up short against (RV) Southeastern on Wednesday night by a final of 76-68. Marian drops to 3-10 on the season with the loss.

Marian fell behind in the opening minute of the game, starting play in a sloppy style that saw the team commit a pair of turnovers on its first two possessions. An early timeout settled the team into the game, as Dylan Moles and Luke Carroll put the team on the board by the opening media timeout.

Southeastern would push its lead to nine in the moments after the stoppage, putting Marian in a further hole as they trailed 13-4. Ron Rutland III started to turn the tide for the Knights with a trifecta, while Josiah Gustin helped pull the team within three. As the bench worked into the game, a three-point swing from Blake Russell and a flurry of Luke Lindeman makes quickly pulled the Knights within one.

Aidan Franks joined Luke Lindeman in the comeback effort, as the duo led the bench unit and saw the Knights claw to a draw with 4:32 to play. Knotted at 24-24, the game would progress into a tie twice more before the half ended, as Rutland and Josiah Gustin matched the Fire's offense. A three-pointer with 1:52 to play in the opening half for Southeastern would end the back and forth, as the Fire heated up going into the break with an 8-2 run, leading Marian 36-30.

In the second half, Marian did all they could to try and overtake their first-half deficit, but the team was never able to pull in front. Aaron Humphrey Jr. and Aidan Franks shouldered the offense early in the second period as the Knights slashed within two points as the first five minutes expired, but Southeastern never flinched. 

The two teams traded baskets and stops, with Southeastern holding a one or two-possession lead for the majority of the half. With 7:56 remaining in the game, a second-chance basket for Luke Lindeman cut the lead to one as Marian trailed 59-58, but Southeastern immediately answered with a three-pointer, pushing in front by two scores.

Unable to take the lead or force a tie, Marian played into desperation, missing pivotal shots down the stretch. Marian would again get within one point as Aaron Humphrey Jr. scored out of the final media timeout with 4:08 remaining, while later sinking two free throws to keep the game at reach. Following the free throws for Humphrey, the junior committed a shooting foul, putting the Fire to the line with 3:00 to play, with Daivion Traylor making both to take a 71-68 lead.

Needing a make to extend pressure, the Knights' offense came up short, missing each of the team's final five shots from the field. Southeastern took advantage of the shortcomings, hitting a game-clinching layup with 1:48 to play, taking a five-point lead before finishing the game off at the foul line in their 76-68 victory.

Southeastern finished the night shooting over 50 percent from the floor, while Marian shot near 40 percent in the loss. Aaron Humphrey Jr. led the team in scoring with 17 points to go with 11 rebounds, while Aidan Franks (11 points) and Luke Lindeman (10 points) led the bench in scoring. Humphrey also led the team in assists with four and steals with two.

The Knights will play their final game in the first half of the regular season schedule, hosting Saint Mary of the Woods College on Friday night. Tip-time for Friday's winter break contest is slated for 7:00 p.m.

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