INDIANAPOLIS - Needing 25 points to make history and become the all-time leading scorer in Marian women's basketball history, senior Ella Collier scored exactly 25 in Marian's runaway 86-51 victory over Taylor University, passing Lakan Hasser-Smith ('16) to take the top step in Marian history. Marian's season record improves to 21-1 after their win over Taylor, as their 19th consecutive win gives them a 12-0 mark in the Crossroads League.
Ella Collier came out seeking her points from the opening tip, as the senior poured in Marian's first five points of the day in the first minute of the game. Tamia Perryman came into the game early off the bench, and added to Collier's momentum as her fellow classmate added five quick points to help Marian build a 12-7 lead. Collier would add a pair of scores for Marian to see her total rise to nine and the team score to 16, but the Trojans would catch fire from beyond the arc, going on a 12-0 run to capture a 21-16 lead. Abbey McNally and Collier would get Marian back in a groove before the quarter's end with a layup from each player, setting the score at 25-20 in favor of Taylor after 10 minutes of play.
The Knights made the adjustments to Taylor's three-point abilities as the second quarter started, getting an open three-point shot from Aliyah Evans on the first possession of the period to get started on the right not. Perryman and Collier would follow with baskets as Marian's defense forced three consecutive stops, with Collier's 12th and 13th points of the afternoon pushing Marian in the lead. The run continued as Evans and Bosse pushed the lead to eight with 5:18 to play before the half, while the spotlight once again turned to Collier as a fastbreak layup increased her totals to 15 and the lead to double figures.
Evans and Kinnidy Garrard would fill the final scores for Marian before the half's completion, as Marian shutout the Trojans in the second quarter, using a 21-0 run to take a 41-25 lead at halftime.
Needing 10 points to break the school record at the start of the third quarter, the senior Collier used her defense to lead to scores, as she and her backcourt partner Bosse kept the game a 15-point contest after Taylor scored the opening four points of the half. Collier would score four free throws before the end of the third quarter, as she and her teammates began to inflate their lead over the Trojans. A strong offensive stretch from McNally pushed Marian in the lead by 20 points with over 14 minutes to play in the game, while Kinnidy Garrard would to her scoring totals. Taylor would bite back with five unanswered points to end the quarter, seeing Marian hold a 61-44 lead entering the final stanza.
With 21 points in the game entering the fourth quarter, Collier got the first shot up in the fourth quarter, inching within one point of 2,000 in her career after draining a jumper to start the fourth. McNally would reclaim Marian's 20-point advantage on the following possession cleaning up the offensive glass, setting up the moment of the game. With 8:40 to play, the defense of Collier set up her new school record, as she jumped the passing lane for Taylor with a steal, racing to the other end as she scored another fastbreak layup, giving her 25 points in the game and eclipsing 2,000 career points, giving her the new school record.
After Collier's record-scoring points, Marian took a 67-44 lead, putting the game in restful hands as the Knights stayed above the 23-point mark for the remainder of the game, with their largest lead standing at 36 points. Josie Trabel, Kiley McNally, and Jayla Wehner all contributed to the 30-point advantage in the fourth quarter as Collier and the rest of the starters were pulled, helping Marian end their week with a comfortable 86-51 victory over Taylor.
In her record setting performance, Collier scored a game-high 25 points, shooting 10-of-16 from the field while making each of her four free throw attempts. The senior added to her all-around performance with four rebounds, a team-high five assists and three steals, and two blocked shots. Collier ended the day with 2,001 career points, passing Lakan Hasser-Smith for the Marian program record, while becoming the second player in program history with 2,000 career points. Collier is now the 13th player in Crossroads League women's basketball history with 2,000 or more career points, and is one of two active players, as she joins Grace College's Maddie Ryman as players hitting the milestone this season. Collier completed the feat in 123 career games which is one of the fastest paces in league history. Collier is also the 76th player, male or female, to eclipse 2,000 career points in Crossroads League history.
Collier and the Knights will now set to the road, as they travel to Goshen College seeking their 20th consecutive victory. Tip on Wednesday, February 7, comes at 6:00 p.m. from Goshen, Indiana.
