INDIANAPOLIS – Senior Paul Marandet matched his career-high with 36 points on Saturday, but it was not enough as the Spring Arbor University men's basketball team fell to No. 5 ranked Marian University 87-73.
The loss snapped the Cougars' three-game winning streak – as well as their four-game winning streak against Marian – while the Knights earned their fifth consecutive win.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor 73, No. 5 Marian 87
LOCATION: Marian University | Indianapolis, Ind.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 16-10 (7-7 CL), Marian 21-5 (11-3 CL)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Marian, which boasts the best shooting percentage in the country, shot 58 percent from the field in the first half.
- The score was tied, 22-22, at the 8:15 mark of the first half, but a quick 10-0 run by the home team helped guide the Knights to a 41-36 halftime lead.
- Marian continued to hold its lead throughout the second half, but Spring Arbor, looking for its third straight win over a Top 25 ranked opponent, kept the game within striking distance. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Marandet trimmed the deficit to two, 60-58, with 9:36 remaining.
- That was as close as SAU would get, however. A quick scoring spurt gave Marian a double-digit advantage and the Knights would hold on to earn their fifth straight win.
FOR THE COUGARS
- Marandet was 12-for-16 from the field and 10-for-12 from the free throw line on his way to 36 points. He also added a game-high six assists.
- Brandon Durnell finished with 20 points. Luke Barber had eight points while Jeff Beckman posted seven points and six rebounds.
- Spring Arbor shot 45 percent (26-for-57) on the afternoon and was 15-for-17 from the free throw line.
FOR THE KNIGHTS
- Five Marian players scored in double figures. Christian Stewart led the way with 19 while Cameron Wolter registered a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
- The Knights, who are shooting an NAIA-best 52.7 percent on the year, finished the game shooting 52 percent (29-for-56) overall and 47 percent (10-for-21) from 3-point range.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor will look to bounce back against No. 23 Grace College (17-9, 9-5 CL) on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The game is scheduled to tipoff at 7 p.m. inside the McDonald Athletic Center.
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