Fab Four Bound: Knights Break Quarterfinals Curse in 73-43 Win over Campbellsville

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - For the first time since its championship season in 2017, the Marian women's basketball team is back in the NAIA National Semifinals, as the Knights overcame their demons in the quarterfinal round with a commanding 73-43 win over two-seed Campbellsville. Marian's win snaps a four-year losing streak in the quarterfinal round, as they race into the national semifinals with a 33-2 overall record. 

The Knights made a statement from the opening tip on Saturday night, winning the first possession of the game and jumping on the board first after a Kiley McNally steal and layup. The quick score propelled a 9-0, as the stifling Marian defense held the Tigers scoreless for the first 4:20 of game action. Campbellsville would not make a field goal until the 3:46 mark of the first quarter, as the defensive effort continued to haunt the Mid-South Conference foe.

Abbey McNally and Olivia Faust would add to Marian's growing 11-point lead before the first Tiger made field goal of the game, but Campbellsville would punch back with a quick 6-0 run in the final two minutes of the period. Taylor Double put a stop to the run as she scored a floater with 10 seconds remaining in the quarter, and after the make, Double got a quick steal and score, taking the final four points of the quarter herself to give Marian a 20-10 lead.

The run sparked a 5-0 spree to begin the second quarter, as the nine unanswered points gave the Knights a 15-point edge two minutes into the period. Campbellsville would go on a run of its own to get back within single digits, but Marian did not falter, as they went back to Abbey McNally, who picked up four unanswered points to take the lead into double figures, eclipsing 2200 career points in the process. A three-pointer from Oliva Faust had Marian running once again as the cushion grew to five possessions. Marian's defense made the final highlight of the first half, as a steal from Madisyn Bailey in the closing seconds led to a fastbreak layup for the sophomore, pushing the Knights on top 39-24 at intermission.

The halftime break cooled off Marian slightly, as the offense took a handful of moments to get back in gear. Campbellsville used the opportunity to get back within four scores, but were never able to break the double-digit lead for Marian, as the team held its ground and cut the gap at 11 points. A timeout called by the Knights collected the team, and out of the break, Abbey McNally went back to work, scoring down low to take a 45-32 edge. The lead hovered at 12-14 points over the final five minutes of the quarter after McNally's bucket, and in the final two minutes Marian again shut down the Tigers.

Campbellsville was held scoreless for the final 1:30 of the third quarter, while baskets from both of the McNally twins gave Marian momentum and a 52-36 lead headed into the final stanza.

After closing the third quarter on a 4-0 run, Marian again opened the final period in dominating style, forcing four missed Campbellsville shots that resulted in an 8-0 Knights run. Taylor Double scored four of the eight points that extended the streak to 12 unanswered, as Marian forced a timeout after holding the Tigers scoreless for 4:43 of game action.

The timeout could do little to cool off the Knights, as the team continued to attack, extending the run to 17 points over a stretch of six minutes of game time, with Kenna Kirby's three-pointer with 5:26 making it a 65-36 game. Campbellsville would break its drought with 5:05 to play, but it could do little to scare the Knights, as the Knights pushed the lead to 30 points on Kiley McNally's fastbreak score with 3:01 to play. Emily Grim would put the cherry on top of Marian's quarterfinal win, as the Knights ended the game with a resounding 73-43 victory over Campbellsville, advancing to the NAIA National Semifinals. 

Marian's touted defense held Campbellsville to seven points in the fourth quarter, and 19 total in the second half, with the Knights' fourth quarter effort alone outscoring the Tigers' offense in the final 20 minutes. Marian, who forced 20 turnovers and held the Tigers to under 30 percent shooting from the field, also allowed the fewest points at the final site in Sioux City with its win, as the 43 points are 10 fewer than Dordt and Dakota Wesleyan allowed in wins throughout the final site games. 

For the Knights, Abbey McNally led the way with her 64th career double-double, putting up 24 points and 21 rebounds in the win. McNally's efforts were good for her 21st double-double of the season, and her third 20-20 game of the campaign. Taylor Double finished with 16 points in the win, and Kiley McNally had 10 points in 20 minutes of work. Kenna Kirby had a team-high five steals, stuffing the stat sheet with nine points, nine assists, and six rebounds. 

Marian had multiple records and milestones set in the quarterfinal game against Campbellsville. The following marks were:

• Abbey McNally: Most Free Throws Attempted in a Career
• Abbey McNally: 1400 Career Rebounds
• Abbey McNally: 2200 Career Points
• Abbey McNally: Broke her own single-season scoring record (688 points)
• Taylor Double: 800 Career Points
• Kenna Kirby: 750 Career Points

The win over Campbellsville stamps a date for Marian in the NAIA Semifinal game, as the Knights will take on Dakota Wesleyan on Monday night in the Fab-Four. Marian and Dakota Wesleyan will tip at 9:00 p.m. EDT.

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