Montgomery, Ala. - The Marian women's basketball team bounced back with a 81-64 win over (RV) William Carey on Saturday. The Knights were led by Eva Fisher and Taylor Double. Marian moved to 2-1 overall on the season after the win.
William Carey opened up the game with a pair of baskets to take the early lead over Marian. The Knights were quick to fire back with four baskets from Taylor Double and Kennedy Coleman to take the 5-4 lead. The Crusaders fired back with a pair of free throws but the Knights were quick to counter with a pair of baskets from Double and Fisher to extend the lead to four. Each team went back and forth with a pair of baskets with Coleman, Double, and Madisyn Bailey each recording the baskets for Marian. After William Carey fired off a pair of free throws and a jumper, Double fired back to break up the run and extend their lead 20-18 with one minute remaining. The Crusaders fired off yet another jumper but Olivia Faust recorded a layup to end the quarter with a 22-20 lead.
Fisher opened up the second quarter with a layup but the Crusaders countered with a layup. Faust was able to follow with a three pointer before William Carey fired off a free throw to knock down Marian's lead to four. Each team traded off baskets in the middle half of the second quarter with Laniah Walkine recording a three pointer and a pair of free throws. The Crusaders were able to fire off a trio of baskets to knock down the margin to two. Bailey and Walkine went back-to-back with baskets before William Carey added a pair of baskets. Bailey fired off a pair of layups only to be broken up by a Crusaders layup to bring the score to 40-36 to close the first half.
The Knights opened the third quarter with a trio of baskets from Fisher, Double, and Faust. William Carey made a free throw but Fisher was quick to counter with a pair of baskets. The Crusaders answered with a jumper but Marian was able to follow with a pair of layups from Fisher to extend the lead 58-39. With three minutes remaining, each team made a pair of baskets with Coleman and Faust recording the points for Marian. Walkine sank a pair of free throws before William Carey countered with a pair of baskets to knock down Marian's lead 65-46. Fisher benefitted off of a pair of free throws but the Crusaders knocked down a pair of baskets to bring the score 67-51 going into the final quarter.
Marian opened the four quarter with a pair of baskets from Double and Bailey to extend the lead to 21. William Carey countered with a trio of free throws before Double broke up the streak with a jumper. The Crusaders fired off a pair of baskets before Fisher and Walkine countered with one basket each. With three minutes remaining, William Carey fired off a layup but Fisher followed with a pair of free throws. The Crusaders recorded the two final baskets of the game with a jumper and layup to bring the game 81-65 securing the win for the Knights.
Eva Fisher led the Knights with 22 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Taylor Double was close behind with 17 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Madisyn Bailey led the team in rebounds with seven and assists with eight.
Marian is back in action next Saturday as they take on Culver-Stockton in their home opener.
