Fort Wayne, Ind. - The Marian women's basketball team fell in a tough fight against No. 9 Saint Francis. The Knights pushed the game into overtime but fell 73-72. Marian is now 20-6 on the season and 13-3 in the Crossroads League.

Saint Francis opened up the game with a three-pointer but was quickly followed up by a free throw from Kiley McNally and a three-pointer from Taylor Double to allow Marian to take the 4-3 lead. Abbey McNally followed firing off a pair of layups to increase the lead. The Cougars attempted to lessen the blow but came up short only tabbing a layup. Both teams struck down a three-pointer with Taylor Double recording the basket for the Knights. Abbey finished out the first quarter recording a layup and a free throw followed by a layup from Kenna Kirby to end the quarter with the 16-8 lead.

The Cougars opened up the second quarter with a layup and a three-pointer only to be followed by a layup from Abbey. Saint Francis continued their run with three more baskets to take back the 19-18 lead. Marian was able to go on a small run only to be broken up by a three-pointer from the Cougars. The run included a jumper and three-pointer from Kirby and a pair of free throws from Double. The Cougars continued to push with a pair of free throws but were followed up by a layup from Zoe Wheeler and a three-pointer from Kenna Kirby. Saint Francis ended the quarter with a layup and a free throw but were to short on their push allowing Marian to maintain the 30-27 lead.

Out of the half Saint Francis took back their lead with a pair of three-pointers. Double brought the margin back down to one with a jumper. Both teams traded a pair of baskets with Abbey McNally recording both baskets for the Knights to bring the score 37-36 in favor of the home side. The Cougars continued to push with a three-pointer but was countered by a layup from Wheeler but, Saint Francis was able to fire off a layup and free throw to extend the lead back to five. The Knights continued to fight with a layup from Abbey but were flattened out by a six basket run for The Cougars to bring the score 57-42. Both teams traded baskets once more to end the quarter with Abbey recording the basket for Marian and bring the score 59-44 in favor of Saint Francis.

Marian opened up the final quarter with a three-pointer from Kirby but the home side was able to fire back with a layup. The Knights were able to go on a three basket run to bring the game within eight with a jumper and layup from Madisyn Bailey and a layup from Kirby. The Cougars fired off a three-pointer but were quickly countered by a free throw and layup from Abbey McNally and a three-pointer from Kirby to bring the score 64-59. Saint Francis continued to push with a layup but Marian was able to go on a six basket run to take back the lead with 46 seconds remaining. Olivia Faust recorded a three pointer, Kirby recorded a layup, and Abbey recorded a pair of free throws and layup in the run. The Cougars were able to push it into overtime with a layup to bring the score 68-68 at the end of regulation.

Kirby opened up overtime with a free throw but was quickly countered by three free throws and a layup from Saint Francis. Abbey McNally pushed at the Cougars lead with a free throw and a layup but came up one point to short ending the game with a score of 73-72.

Abbey McNally led the team in both points and rebounds recording another double-double with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Kenna Kirby had multiple career high's in the match up with 21 points, 17 shot attempts, and a 4-7 record in three-pointers. Kirby also had the second highest amount of rebounds with 4. Madisyn Bailey and Olivia Faust each led the team in assists with four. 

Marian will be back in action on Wednesday, February 19th as they take on Mount Vernon at home starting at 5:00 p.m.

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