MISHAWAKA, Ind. –  The No. 6 Marian women’s basketball team extended its winning spree to ten games Wednesday night as the Knights topped the Pilots of Bethel 105-68. The Knights move to 16-4 on the season and 9-0 in Crossroads League play.
Marian started the night off strong bursting out to a 7-0 lead to begin the night. The Following a timeout, Bethel brought themselves back into the game down 9-8 early in the opening period. This burst did not deter the Knights, however.
Following a timeout, the Knights sprinted ahead and started sinking shots from all ranges. Marian’s offense erupted. Starting off with an Ella Collier 3-pointer, the Knights went on a 17-3 run to close out the first quarter. Following a bucket by Shanyce Makuei with just seconds remaining in the period, the Knights found themselves with a comfortable 26-11 lead.
The second quarter did not slow the Knights down in the slightest. Marian continued its ravenous run and kept scoring. The 23-3 spurt ended after a Pilots bucket two minutes into the second quarter.
This was not the only large run of the half for Marian. The Knights began another insatiable scoring spree. Tamia Perryman sunk a 3-pointer to begin the run. Until a Pilots basket with 45 seconds in the half remaining, the Knights dropped 13 straight points over five minutes and 23 seconds.
Heading into the break, Marian held a convincing 50-21 lead over Bethel after outscoring the Pilots 24-10 in the second quarter. Imani Guy led the Knights with 10 points and six rebounds. Collier tallied three 3-point baskets and finished the half with nine points and four rebounds.
Marian forced 13 turnovers in the first half off of 10 total steals and outrebounded the Pilots 25-19. The Knights also sunk seven 3-point baskets off 14 attempts and shot 19-38 from the field. Marian was helped to 19 points off the bench in the first half.
Coming back from the break, Marian stayed in control of the game’s pace. Bethel started to match the Knights shot-for-shot and kept the deficit static in the third.
Heading into the final quarter, it was all but over. This does not mean the Knights let up, however. In the fourth quarter, Marian outscored Bethel 31-23 and saw scores from nine different players. When all was finished, Marian emerged dominantly victorious 105-68.
During the rout, the Knights had five players score in double digits. Collier and Guy led the way each scoring 17 points. Guy also led Marian nabbing eight rebounds. Allison Bosse notched a career high 16 points shooting 5-6 from 3-point land. Makuei continued her hot stretch of games tallying 15 points shooting 7-12 from the field. Kinnidy Garrard dropped 11 points rounding out the Marian scoring effort. Senior Abby Downard logged eight assists to lead the Knights.
Marian was helped to 53 points off the bench and scores from all 11 active players. Â The Knights shot 37-72 from the field and 15-28 from beyond the 3-point arch. The Knights’ rout also included 20 total steals while forcing 26 Pilots turnovers. Marian outrebounded Bethel 40-35.
This is the first time since Jan. 15 of 2020 that Marian scored 100 points and is 11th time under Coach Katie Gearlds.
The Marian 10 game winning streak will meet its next test Saturday as No. 23 Indiana Welseyan comes to John Grimes Court to challenge the No. 6 Knights at 1 p.m.
