(MARIAN RELEASE)
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The No. 5 Marian women's basketball team (18-4) came away with its 12th straight win Wednesday night after taking down Grace in a strong 78-59 performance. The victory marks the Knights 11th win against Crossroads League opponents this season keeping them undefeated in conference play.
The first quarter started out tight for the Knights, winning by a narrow three points at the halfway mark for the first quarter. Started by an Imani Guy basket followed by a Shanyce Makuei and-one, the Knights proceeded to go on a 10-0 run. Marian scored 12 of the final 14 points of the quarter and emerged with a 21-8 advantage exiting the first period.
The Lancers fired back to start the second quarter, going on a 10-2 run and outscoring the Knights 14-7 and drawing within 6 at the halfway mark. This run did not deter Marian, however. The Knights grew the lead back to 11 and began a run.
The half ended on a 7-0 run from Marian to expand the lead to 17 points exiting the half. The Knights entered the locker room with a comfortable 43-26 advantage.
Ella Collier led the Knights' first half efforts dropping 12 points and pulling down six rebounds. Guy closed the half with 10 points and five rebounds to help the Marian cause.
The Knights outrebounded Grace 22-13 which included 10 offensive boards.
Coming back from the break, Grace once again came out on a run. The Lancers broke out an 8-2 spurt to draw back within seven points. Marian responded with points of its own to put the lead back to double digits.
The Lancers were not yet done clawing their way back to a five-point deficit with just three minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Knights responded once again and expanded the lead back to 13 with a 9-3 run to end the quarter ahead 60-47.
The fourth quarter was all Knights. Collier started it off with a 3-point basket from a Jayla Wehner assist. Soon after, another Collier jumper started a 19-2 run for the Knights to push the lead to 25 points. Marian led by as many as 28.
Grace ended the night on a run to draw closer, but it was to no prevail. Marian closed out the night with a comfortable 78-59 victory to cruise to its 12th straight win.
Guy led the Knights with 23 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 11-16 from the floor. On her way to her 23-point night, Guy crossed the 1000-point threshold for her collegiate career. Guy joins Macy Willoughby in the 1000-point club.
Collier finished the night with 22 points and eight rebounds off of 8-13 shooting. Makuei also helped out the Marian scoring effort shooting 4-4 from the floor while dropping 10 points. Willoughby rounded out the Knights scoring with eight points off two made 3-pointers.
Wehner led Marian accounting for seven of the Knights' 17 assists. Marian outrebounded the Lancers 49-32 which included pulling down 19 offensive boards. The Knights also nabbed 11 steals to force 16 turnovers. The well-rounded effort also saw a 32-69 (46.38%) shooting performance on the night.
The Knights will look to continue its hot streak into Friday as Marian takes on West Virginia Tech at 5 p.m. at John Grimes court. The Knights won the first matchup against the Golden Bears 84-52.