INDIANAPOLIS - Behind a commanding 40-point first quarter, the Marian women's basketball team coasted to a dominant home Crossroads League victory over Grace College, winning 113-66 on Wednesday night. Marian's undefeated start reaches 16 games with the win, as they move to 16-0 overall and 6-0 in league play.

Marian came out aggressive on Wednesday as they matched Grace's full-court style of play, dropping a season-high 40 points in a single quarter in the first 10 minutes of the game. Kenna Kirby opened the hot scoring quarter with a three on the team's first possession, while Taylor Double continued the rout with a steal and transition three-pointer of her own. The defense picked up the play after a strong start, forcing a total of 15 turnovers in the first quarter, resulting in 11 steals, with three of those steals belonging to both Kiley McNally and Double. Kiley McNally would score nine in the opening quarter, while her sister Abbey McNally scored an even 10 points. The defensive clamps allowed just four Lancer points in the quarter, as Marian led 40-4 after one period.

The second quarter belonged to Olivia Faust, who could not be stopped on the offensive end. Faust scored 15 of the team's 31 points, helping Marian push its lead to 43 by halftime. Abbey McNally scored another five points in her limited two minutes of play, aiding Marian's one-sided score. The defense continued to haunt Grace as the Knights forced another eight turnovers, while holding their visitors under 50 percent from the field in the quarter, taking a 71-28 lead at halftime.

Marian went on to out-score Grace 42-38 in the second half, rotating players in and out as they attacked the Lancers inside and out. Six points from Faust in the third quarter brought her game total to a career-high 24 points, while Abbey McNally reached 20 points with five in the period. 

Abbey McNally finished her efforts with six points and rebounds in the final quarter, while Kenna Kirby picked up two more steals and five points as Marian won the period 19-14. Emma Simpson scored the final two points in the blowout, as the Knights finished off their 113-66 victory.

The Knights held Grace to 40 percent from the field in the win, while the defense forced 30 turnovers on the night. Abbey McNally led the Knights in scoring with a 26-point, 10-rebound effort, adding three steals and two blocks to her final stat line. Olivia Faust scored 24 points in 14 minutes of work, and Kenna Kirby stuffed the stat sheet, scoring 19 points, in addition to recording six rebounds, seven assists, and seven steals. Taylor Double had 15 points and Kiley McNally had 14 to pair with eight rebounds. 

Madisyn Bailey engineered Marian's offense in the victory, recording 11 assists and grabbing nine rebounds. 

Marian will play their biggest test of the new year this coming Saturday, when they host Franciscan rival, seventh-ranked University of Saint Francis, at 1:00 p.m.

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