Glendale, Ariz. - After a forgettable first quarter in which Marian mustered five points in a neutral matchup with No. 17 Rocky Mountain College, the Knights turned up their scoring in the final three quarters as they ran away with a 71-46 victory. The win is Marian's third over a team featured in the NAIA Coaches' Poll by a margin of 25 points or more, as they improve to 12-0 on the season.
The first quarter proved as one to forget for the Knights, as things never clicked offensively after
Kenna Kirby scored a putback basket for the game's first points. The early duece would be one of just two made Marian field goals in the quarter, as shooting woes plagued the traveling Knights, who ended up shooting 2-21 from the field in the period. While the offense started slow, the defense played tenaciously, forcing seven turnovers and holding the Battlin' Bears to a 3-12 shooting effort.
After the low-scoring 7-5 quarter that saw Rocky Mountain lead after one, Marian ramped it up in the second quarter, shooting 50 percent from the field with three made three-point field goals, pouring in 22 points in total in the quarter. Rocky Mountain too found a rhythm scoring 14 points, but the defense of the Knights continued to be too tough, as they forced another six turnovers in the quarter.
The Battlin' Bears offense came early as they pushed their two-point lead to eight within the first 3:20, but a surge from Abbey and
Kiley McNally helped chip the lead to two points over the next three minutes. Back-to-back three-point makes from
Madisyn Bailey saw the Knights push in front 23-19, allowing them to maintain the lead entering the break.
Abbey McNally scored the final four points of the quarter, with Marian leading 27-21.
Rocky Mountain made their adjustments at halftime and used the first three minutes to tie the game at 31-31, but a three-point dagger from
Taylor Double halted their momentum and allowed Marian to keep the upper hand.
Eva Fisher followed with a three-ball of her own, as the Knights found a groove and raced to a 12-0 run, taking a 43-31 edge. Despite seeing the run stop, Marian continued to be aggressive on the offensive end, with Bailey and Double pacing the attack.
Olivia Faust beat the third quarter buzzer with a jumper in the paint, capping an electric quarter with Marian on top 52-36.
In the final stanza, Marian continued to flex their attack, never relenting while keeping their lead above 14 points.
Kiley McNally and
Zoe Wheeler both played a strong role in the fourth quarter finishing run, as a three from Wheeler with 4:04 to play pushed the advantage to 20. A pair of baskets from Bailey in the waning minutes would seal Marian's 20-point lead over Rocky Mountain, as the Knights finished strong with their 71-46 victory.
Marian recovered after its slow start, finishing the game shooting 43.5 percent from the floor, knocking down six three pointers in the win.
Madisyn Bailey paced the scoring with a game-high 18 points and seven assists, while
Abbey McNally had a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Kiley McNally picked up 11 points and five steals off the bench, while
Zoe Wheeler scored seven to go with her two steals and three boards.
Marian's win allows them to move to the 10th NAIA team to reach 12 victories this season, while they are one of eight remaining undefeated teams in the nation.
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