Box Score IIndianapolis – As he looks to build his program, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods head coach Mike Hunter can envision having a team that can go on the road and pick up a win against the NAIA's No. 5-ranked team.
But 10 games into his tenure with the program, it's a game that provides a taste of that competition for the Pomeroys despite a 84-49 loss.
"It's good to see a good program. There's good programs all through our league and we're going to face some more," Hunter said. "Will see Marian at our place next year. We've got to keep working and keep building.'
SMWC showed it could hang with the Knights for a good portion of the first half. The Pomeroys went on an 11-0 run that included 3-pointers by Robert DeSilvia and Tarik Dixon, taking a 20-19 lead on a pair of free throws by DeSilvia.
SMWC regained the lead on a jumper by Shermar Moss with 7:20 to go, but Marian found its rhythm from that point on. With starters Keith Germain and Davin Miller on the bench the remainder of the first half, the Knights (11-1) went on a strong run to take a 46-34 halftime lead.
The Knights, who have three Division I transfers, didn't score for the first 2 ½ minutes after halftime, but their defense held strong. The Pomeroys remained within 12 points as Elkin Ramirez hit for 3 of his team-high nine points and Keith Germain converted in the lane with 16:41 to go.
Marian went on a 12-0 run over the next six minutes to put the game away.
"Against a team as good as they are, you can't squander your opportunities when you get leads and get some good play that we don't normally get from our bench. The starters have to pick up where they left off. Guys got defeated a little bit," Hunter said.
SMWC continued to work different combinations on the floor in its first game at near full health.
Six-foot-8 forward Dakota Sampson played his second game of the season, posting six points and five rebounds, and 6-8 Luke Brower returned from a two-game absence.
Tarik Dixon scored all eight of his points in the first half.
"My mentality is we'll go anywhere and play anyone. Nobody wants to come in here and play Marian and we came in and played. We've got to get the guys all on the same page," Hunter said.