INDIANAPOLIS - After a breakneck scoring pace in the first half, the Marian men's basketball team was unable to close on the offensive end against the University of Saint Francis, falling at home 88-74. The Crossroads League loss drops Marian to 4-13 on the season and 2-5 in league. 

Scoring came early and often on Saturday, as the Knights and Cougars had no problem finding their way to the rim, with the two sides combining for 26 points through five minutes of play. A full dose of Dylan Moles and Ron Rutland III pushed Marian to its positive start on the offensive end, and as the half progressed, seven points off the bench from Blake Russell helped the Knights compete against Saint Francis. 

Russell made his impact felt as the scoring for both sides found a steady flow, with the freshman pulling the team back within two scores at the 9:40 mark, with Marian trailing 26-21. Marian continued to chip away at the deficit on the board, going through Moles and Aaron Humphrey Jr., eventually tying the game at 35-35 with a 6-0 run. The run was paced by back-to-back made three-point shots from Joshua Renfro and Ron Rutland III, bringing the game even with 3:50 before halftime. 

Saint Francis answered the run with one of its own, attacking the Knights with eight unanswered points in an 80-second window to push in front 43-35. Marian would answer before the half ended, going on a 6-1 run, including the final four points of the half as a steal and fastbreak layup from Rutland III saw the score move to 44-41 at the half.

The late run to end the first half carried into the second, as the Knights opened the second half with an offensive fury, scoring the first nine points of the half. A three-point play from Dylan Moles started the run, as Marian jumped in the lead and pushed ahead 50-44 as the first two minutes of the period elapsed. The Cougars snapped the 13-unanswered Marian points with a layup from Eugene Young, going on a run of their own as the Saint Francis sprint of 12-4 pulled the visitors back on top.

Saint Francis' run extended to a 16-4 margin, as the road team captured a 60-54 lead. Josiah Gustin quieted the storm with a slam dunk, but a quick three from Jevon Lewis kept the Cougars in the lead, as they pushed the edge to seven. Within two minutes of the Lewis answer, the Cougars were able to push their lead to double figures, holding a 69-58 lead with 9:41 to play in the game. Luke Carroll would get Marian back inside of three scores with a driving layup at the 9:04 mark, but the Knights had no answers for the Cougar offense, as an 8-2 jog put Marian in a 15-point hole. 

Aaron Humphrey Jr. picked up points late as Marian tried to mount a comeback, but unable to get closer than four scores, the Knights would go on to suffer its second consecutive home loss, falling 88-74.

Humphrey Jr. finished the game with a team-high 21 points, while Dylan Moles scored 15 in the loss. Ron Rutland III scored 12 points and had a pair of blocks and steals in the defeat. 

Marian will aim end the homestand with another victory, as they host No. 10 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday night. The game will air on the ISC Sports Network, and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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