The Marian women's basketball team is set to compete in its sixth consecutive NAIA Round of 16, facing the 12-seed Shawnee State on Friday at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa, at 7:00 p.m. EDT. This marks Marian's seventh consecutive qualification for the Round of 16, although their 2020 appearance was canceled due to COVID-19. Marian enters the game on a 14-game winning streak and has a strong 17-2 record against teams in this year鈥檚 NAIA Tournament. The matchup against Shawnee State is a rare affair, with their last meeting dating back to the 2012-13 season, where Marian won. Shawnee State, the highest remaining double-digit seed, has a record of 24-8 this season and is transitioning to NCAA DII after this tournament.

By the Numbers
  • Marian holds a 14-game winning streak entering the NAIA Round of 16.
  • Shawnee State (24-8) is one of three double-digit seeds in the NAIA Final Site.
State of Play
  • Marian secured its spot in the tournament after an impressive overall season with a 97-70 record against the remaining teams.
  • Shawnee State's last NAIA Tournament appearance was in 2019, making this their first return after a four-year gap.
What's Next

The winner of the Marian versus Shawnee State game will face either Campbellsville or Spring Arbor in the NAIA Quarterfinals on Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. EDT.

Bottom Line

As the Knights look to extend their tournament run, their current momentum and strong record against ranked teams give Marian a clear edge, but Shawnee State's Cinderella story adds an intriguing twist to this must-watch matchup.