INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian women's basketball team took down No. 14 St. Xavier for the second time this season. The Knights are now 27-5 overall on the season and will move on to the 2nd Round of the NAIA National Championships tomorrow. 

Both teams kept it pretty even in the beginning with Kenna Kirby and Abbey McNally both knocking down a layup each to draw the score 4-4 with 6 minutes left in the quarter. The Cougars were the next to strike with a three pointer but Marian was able to decrease the blow with a jumper and free throw by Kiley McNally as well as a layup by Abbey McNally to take the 9-7 lead. Saint Xavier knocked down two baskets to take the lead but Madisyn Bailey's free throw and Taylor Doubles three-pointer aided to Marian's 13-11 lead to go into the second quarter.

Both teams got off to a slow start with no baskets scored until the 7:21 mark when Kennedy Fuelling and Double each fired off a three pointer to extend their lead to eight points. The Cougars attempted at a push back with a three-pointer but the Knights pushed once more with a jumper from Double followed by a layup by Bailey to extend the lead 23-14. Saint Xavier fired off a jumper but Abbey McNally was able to out score with a free throw and layup. The Cougars were able to go on a three basket run only to be broken up by a layup from Kiley McNally. Abbey closed out the quarter with a jumper to extend the lead 30-24 going into the half.

Abbey McNally opened up the third quarter with a layup followed by a pair of free throws from Madisyn Bailey only to be broken up by a three-pointer from the Cougars. Each side traded a pair of baskets with Abbey recording a layup and jumper. Marian was able to follow up with a pair free throw and pair of layups one being from Kiley to take the 44-31 lead. Saint Xavier fired off a jumper but Abbey was able to counter with a layup. The Knights were able to out score the Cougars to end the quarter with Fuelling knocking down a three-pointer and Zoe Wheeler knocking down a layup to end the quarter with a 51-36 lead.

Saint Xavier kicked it into high gear in the final quarter with a free throw, layup, and three-pointer to open up the quarter. The Knights fought back with a free-throw but the Cougars continued to push with a five basket run to bring the game to a 52-52 bottle neck with 4:38 remaining. Abbey McNally fired off a layup but St. Xavier continued to push with four more baskets to take a four point lead but were followed by Kiley McNally firing off a layup to bring the game down to two. Both teams benefited off of free throws with Double recording two. Abbey McNally pulled the game 60-60 and draw an overtime match-up.

In overtime the Knights dominated with a jumper from Double and a layup from McNally to kick things off and take the 64-60 lead. Saint Xavier scored their singular basket with a three-pointer. Marian was able to seal the deal with a three-pointer from Kirby, four free throws from Double, and a layup from Kirby to end the game with a 73-63 win over Saint Xavier.

Abbey McNally leads the Knights with her 21st double-double of the season with 27 rebounds and 28 points, she also recorded one steal. Kiley McNally recorded nine rebounds and points as well as led the team in blocks with two and one steal. Madisyn Bailey led the team in steals with five and recorded five points as well as six rebounds and four assists. Taylor Double recorded 16 points on the day with five rebounds and four assists as well as one steal.

Early in the fourth quarter Abbey McNally recorded 20 rebounds which led her to breaking Jenna Sullivan's previous All-Time Rebound Record of 1000 total rebounds. Abbey now holds the record with 1,011 total rebounds and counting. The Knights will be back in action tomorrow evening as they take on the winner of Oregon Tech and Milligan's 7:15 match-up tonight. Tip is set for 6 PM in the PE Center where the winner will punch their ticket to Sioux City, Iowa. 

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