INDIANAPOLIS – The Spring Arbor University women's basketball team saw its season come to an end on Tuesday night as top-seeded, and No. 5 ranked, Marian University handed the eighth-seeded Cougars a 74-53 loss in the Crossroads League Tournament Quarterfinals.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor 53, #5 Marian 74
LOCATION: PE Center | Indianapolis, Ind.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 11-19, Marian 29-2
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Spring Arbor held the league's top scoring team to just 12 points on 5-for-16 shooting in the first quarter. Five different Cougars scored in the period and SAU trailed by just two, 12-10, heading into the second quarter.
- The Cougars tied the score early in the second after a jumper from Faith Johnson. However, Marian would use a 12-2 run to open up a double-digit lead on its way to building a 30-19 advantage at halftime.
- After being stifled by the Cougar defense through the first two quarters, the two-time defending national champions began to heat up from the field. The Knights hit back-to-back three-pointers to help push their lead to 20, 41-21, midway through the third period. Behind senior Autumn Goggin, though, SAU fought back to close the gap to 14 heading to the fourth.
- Marian pulled away over the final 10 minutes shooting 9-for-14 in the stanza, including making its final seven field goal attempts.
FOR THE COUGARS
- Goggin posted a team-high nine points and three rebounds while Gabby Barnett added eight points, three boards, three steals and two blocks off the bench.
- Rachel Nelson had a team-best six rebounds to go along with seven points, and Anne Marie Wright, Gracie Cabana and Kristina Grace chipped in six points apiece.
- Spring Arbor shot 38 percent (19-for-50) from the field. The Cougars were 11-for-12 from the free throw line.
FOR THE KNIGHTS
- Kellie Kirkhoff was one of five Marian players to score in double figures. Kirkhoff recorded a game-high 16 points while making four three-pointers.
- After their slow start, the Knights finished the night shooting 51 percent (27-for-53).
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