MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Reginald Kissoonlal, Wes Stowers and TJ Henderson poured in 74 points and the No. 11-ranked Marian men’s basketball team completed the season sweep over No. 6 Mount Vernon Nazarene, winning 89-85 Tuesday night in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Marian improves to 23-6 overall and 12-5 in the Crossroads League with the win.
Marian got off to a fast start, grabbing a 13-8 lead at the first media timeout, and it was thanks to the big men. Reginald Kissoonlal asserted himself early on the offensive end, scoring seven points during the stretch and Cameron Wolter added four. Out of the timeout, Marian built a 19-10 lead, but the Cougars answered with an 8-0 run to trim the lead to one.
The two teams traded baskets over the next four minutes and the Knights led 25-24 midway through the half. A mini run from the Cougars put Marian down three, but with 6:13 to play Kissoonlal continued his quality half. The senior scored five straight points and gave the lead back to Marian while bringing his point total to 16.
Mount Vernon had the last word of the half though, going on a run that was capped by a buzzer-beater 3-pointer. The Cougars took a 52-42 lead to the half and it was their largest lead of the game. Mount Vernon shot 64 percent for the half, while Marian shot a respectable 48 percent. Kissoonlal finished with 18 points in the half.
Early in the second half, Marian found themselves down 10, but the Knights came roaring back, and a Wes Stowers jumper put Marian up 56-55 with 14:40 to play. Later, Stowers hit a three with 10:10 to play which pushed Marian’s lead to five and capped a 23-8 run for the Knights. Marian’s all-time leading scorer came alive during the run, scoring 14 points.
Again the two teams traded baskets and with 6:03 to play Brett Vipperman’s basket made it 72-72. Down the stretch it was Kissoonlal’s play inside that became the difference as the big man scored eight points in the final 6:03 and grabbed a key offensive rebound. The Knights hit 5-of-6 free throws in the final minute to close the game out and secure the program’s first season sweep of Mount Vernon since 2012-13.
Kissoonlal was a monster from the get-go, finishing with 30 points, which tied his career-high. He added eight rebounds and three blocks, which broke the all-time Marian blocks record at 131. Kissoonlal accomplished the feat in just two seasons and 48 games, and has an average of 2.7 blocks per game for his career. Stowers was electric as well, scoring 26 points and dishing out seven assists. TJ Henderson chipped in 18 points and hit four 3-pointers. Marian shot 53 percent from the field and made 21-of-24 free throws. Both teams grabbed 28 rebounds and Marian forced 10 turnovers, while only turning it over five times.
The Knights will conclude the regular season Saturday at home. Marian will host Indiana Wesleyan at 3 p.m. and celebrate Senior Day prior to tipoff.
