For the Marian University Ancilla Women's Basketball team, entering MCCAA play has always signaled new challenges for the Chargers. In their opening conference game of the year Saturday afternoon, they took on the Southwestern Michigan Roadrunners...a team who last season tied for the MCCAA Western Division title and advanced to the national tournament. While the Roadrunners led by two points through three quarters, the Chargers found what they needed in the final stanza to pull out the 67-65 victory and move to 1-0 in MCCAA action.
As most conference games are, the fourth quarter proved to be very intense and emotional. However, the Chargers managed to build a 9-point lead with just a few minutes remaining. Southwestern Michigan trimmed that cushion by burying multiple 3-pointers and getting key stops. With 1.9 seconds to go, and Marian Ancilla leading 67-65, Freshman guard Aaliyah Keil was fouled and headed to the line for two free throws. While she missed both, the second miss seemed to catch everyone else off-guard, and through their pauses, Keil was able to sneak into the lane and rebound her own miss as the horn sounded to secure the win.
The Chargers got strong play from Sophomore De'Mour Watson, who played her biggest minute total (30 minutes) in her return from a January 2024 knee injury against these same Roadrunners. The 5-10 wing posted a double-double off the bench with 21 points and 12 rebounds, plus she had a big blocked shot in the game. Keil joined her in double figures with 10 points, plus she added 6 rebounds. Freshman forward Santana Eubanks (14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals) and Freshman guard Annika Davis (11 points, 6 rebounds) added double-digit scoring of their own. Eubanks was key at bringing the energy early in the game.
It is also very important to note that Sophomore wing Bella Mahan saved the best for the end. Mahan entered the game with 58.6 seconds remaining and the Chargers trailing 64-63 with the ball out of bounds on the sideline. Upon entry, Marian Ancilla got into one of their sets, and Keil found Mahan with 49 seconds left at the top of the key for an open 3-pointer, which she buried, giving the Chargers the lead for good at 66-64.
Following the win, Head Coach Ryan Gould was thrilled with the grit of the team. "When you get to conference play, it is more intense, more physical, and more emotional. There were a couple of moments today, like when we were down 29-20, where we could have collapsed, but the team fought back and always gave themselves a chance to win. I was proud of how we used our emotion positively, built a lead late, and worked together to finish."
The Chargers are back in action with two more conference games this coming week. Wednesday, they travel to Glen Oaks Community College for a 5:30 p.m. matchup with the Vikings. Then, Saturday, they return home to the LifePlex and Charger Arena for a 1:00 p.m. tilt with the Lansing Stars, who last season tied for the division title with Southwestern Michigan. Please come out and support the ladies, if you are able!!
