No. 4 Marian Tops RV Indiana Wesleyan in CL Tournament Semifinals

INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian women's basketball team left no doubt on Friday night in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals, as the Knights rolled past rival Indiana Wesleyan 87-45, outscoring the Wildcats 77-32 over the final 33 minutes of Friday's contest to punch a championship game ticket. Marian is 28-2 entering the Crossroads League Championship game.

Marian got off to a quick start after winning the tip as Kiley McNally scored on the team's opening possession, but Indiana Wesleyan would gain an early advantage as they knocked down a pair of three-point shots to take a lead. The Wildcats led by four throughout the first five minutes of the opening quarter, eventually leading by five at the media stoppage as the Knights struggled on offense early. After the break, Kenna Kirby and Taylor Double caught fire, sparking the offense with a pair of jumpers. The Wildcats would eventually sink two free throws with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter, but it would not be enough to hold a lead, as the Knights locked down on defense and used a Zoe Wheeler basket to send the game into the second quarter tied 13-13.

The strong defense of Marian was on sight throughout the second quarter, as the Knights denied the Indiana Wesleyan attack and made life difficult for the visitors. After allowing a field goal with 6:10 to play in the first quarter, Marian locked down and held the Wildcats without a make from the floor for the first five minutes of the second, totaling over 11 minutes of play without a made shot. The defense also held the Wildcats scoreless for the first 3:39 of the second quarter, extending their streak to six minutes of gameplay without a point from the visitors.

While the defense dominated, the offense found its groove, as Wheeler, Kennedy Coleman, and Olivia Faust each scored a jumper to force an IWU timeout. A three-point make from Taylor Double moments later capped the Knights' explosive 9-0 run to begin the second, putting the team in attack mode. Taylor Double, Kenna Kirby, and Madisyn Bailey carved up the Wildcats with open shots throughout the quarter, as Marian bullied its way to a 41-21 lead at halftime, doing so without their All-American Abbey McNally, who sat the entire second quarter in foul trouble.

McNally picked up a third foul early in the third quarter as play resumed, which limited her minutes, but despite the reigning CL Player of the Year not being on the floor, the Knights continued to lead, as Kiley McNally picked up the slack in her sister's absence. Kiley scored the first points of the second half, and played a key role on defense to help the lead grow to 24 as the third quarter expired. Taylor Double also found a groove on offense in the quarter, dropping seven points in the period as she helped Marian go on top 57-33.

Abbey McNally would get going as the third quarter ended, and carried over her hot streak into the fourth quarter, as the senior scored eight points alone in the final stanza as the Knights began to run away with the game. Taylor Double was a perfect 3-3 from the field in the final stanza, which included two made three-point shots, while Kenna Kirby scored another eight points to help carry the lead toward 40 points. A pair of three-pointers from Zoe Wheeler punctuated Marian's strong finish to the game, as the team scored 30 points in the fourth and shot 69 percent from the floor, capping the game with a Double three-point shot in the closing seconds, stamping their championship game appearance with an 87-45 victory.

Double finished the night with her best game of the season, scoring a season-high 25 points while assisting on four shots. Abbey McNally logged her 17th double-double of the season, playing just 20 minutes to record her 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kiley McNally would finish with nine points and seven rebounds, and off the bench, Kenna Kirby scored 15 points and Zoe Wheeler scored 10. Madisyn Bailey would finish the night with two steals and seven assists. 

Marian will now play for a Crossroads League Tournament Championship, with the Knights hosting the University of Saint Francis at 7:00 p.m. on Monday night in Indianapolis. 

MUKnights.com: Your online source for Marian Athletics, tickets, multimedia, Knight merchandise, photos, and more.