INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian women’s basketball team advanced to the Crossroads League Tournament semifinals Tuesday night with a 68-56 win over Mount Vernon on John Grimes Court in Indianapolis. The Knights are 26-5 overall with the win.
Marian struggled from the field early in the first quarter and it meant back-and-forth action as the lead changed hands six times along with six ties. The Knights came alive late in the quarter and finished 7-for-15 from the field, which helped them to a 23-15 lead. Dejah Cyrus and Macy Willoughby each scored six points, but perhaps the most important moment of the quarter was MVNU’s Taylor Gregory picking up her second foul of the night.
Marian’s offense continued to thrive early in the second quarter and the Knights extended their lead to 10 on a layup from Cam Cardenas with five minutes to play. It was Marian’s largest lead of the night and the Knights were just getting started. A pretty feed from Macie Lively to Karen Jones followed by a bucket from Lively made it 14, and Willoughby laid one in to make it a 12-0 run. Mount Vernon’s offense sputtered to a halt during the quarter, going over seven minutes without a field goal and turning it over six times in that span.
The Cougars responded with an 8-0 run of their own though and Marian took a 37-29 lead to the locker room. Offense came from everywhere for Marian as Willoughby led all scorers with 10. Cyrus and Cardenas each scored eight and Rachel Titzer provided a little of everything with five points, five rebounds and four assists.
After failing to score for the final 2:30 of the second quarter, Marian found its offense early in the third. Cyrus scored two buckets in the first three minutes and Marian’s lead again stretched to 14. Again though, Marian’s offense struggled for an extended amount of time and the Knights went the final four minutes of the period without a field goal. The Cougars were unable to capitalize and Marian led by 10 heading to the fourth quarter.
Mount Vernon cut the lead to eight early in the quarter and came within seven midway through the fourth. However, a pair of free throws from Jones and a basket from Cyrus sent it back to 11 with 3:30 to play. The Cougars got within seven once more, but Cyrus buried an 18 footer and Marian closed the game out from the free throw line.
Marian shot 41 percent from the field and Mount Vernon shot 40 percent. The Knights outrebounded MVNU 37-31 and forced 20 turnovers. Cyrus led Marian with 18 points and added six rebounds. Cardenas scored 12, while Willoughby and Lively each scored 11. Jones was in double figures as well with 10.
The Knights will be back at home Friday night at 7 p.m. against third-seeded Indiana Wesleyan. For complete coverage of the Crossroads League Tournament click here.