Marian University men’s basketball (2-16, 2-9 NACC) closed a three-game homestand falling to Benedictine 81-74.
- The opening half saw 16 lead changes with neither team leading by more than six points.
- That largest lead came after Benedictine hit back-to-back threes after a 25-25 dead lock.
- Marian had the upper hand at the end of the half closing out the final 1:58 with a 7-1 run to go ahead 41-36 at halftime.
- Senior Tavaris McCullough would hit a deep three-pointer at the buzzer to finish the half.
- Benedictine was able to open the second with a 9-4 run and tie the game at 45-45 before the tight affair continued.
- The game remained a one-possession battle with Marian leading 70-67 and 6:04 to play.
- The Eagles then strung together nine straight points to lead 76-71 and 2:41 left.
- Benedictine would lead the rest of the way and iced the 81-74 win going a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe over the final 2:15.
- Marian would finish 24-of-52 (.462) from the field and 10-of-20 (.500) on three-pointers.
- Benedictine shot 26-of-44 (.591) and went 8-of-18 (.444) on three-pointers.
- Both teams had plenty of chances at the free throw line with Benedictine going 21-of-28 (.750) and Marian 16-of-27 (.593)
- Each team gained the lead 23 times for a total of 46 lead changes in the game.
- Benedictine finished with a 38-8 advantage in the paint.
- The Sabre bench had strong game outscoring the Eagle bench 38-8.
- Marian falls to 7-22 all-time against Benedictine and have lost six of the last seven match-ups.
