The Benedictine University men's basketball team returned home for the first time in two weeks and dropped a 71-69 decision to Marian in conference play on Saturday.
A tight game throughout saw both teams rally from deficits and featured eight ties and 13 lead changes. Marian led by double digits at 20-10 halfway through the opening 20 minutes. Benedictine responded with back-to-back three from
Nathan LaPlant as part of an 8-0 run. Marian again pushed the lead to six but Benedictine took the lead for the first time since early in the game on a pair of free throws from
Tanner Resch and
Patrick Mayfield posted a jumper just before the half as Benedictine took a 32-30 lead into the break.
Benedictine fell behind by seven points in the second half but rallied to take the lead late, setting up a wild back-and-forth final two minutes.
Noah Mason, who electrified the crowd with multiple dunks in the second half, handed Benedictine a 69-68 lead with 42 second to play before Marian knocked in a three. Benedictine drew up a play for the win, but a three rimmed out in the final second.
Benedictine shot 38 percent in the game. Mason dropped home 20 points, a game high, and was 10-of-11 from the free throw line. LaPlant added 15 with Resch contributing 10.Â
Benedictine (5-11, 4-5 NACC) welcomes St. Norbert on Wednesday.
