By Colbi Howser, Communications and Sports Information Intern

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – (Box Score – Bracket) Quarterfinal games are half way through as defending champions No. 1 Morningside (Iowa) fell to the Knights of Marian (Ind.), 76-69 in a close ball game that leads Marian into uncharted territory advancing to semifinal play Monday, March 14 at 3 p.m.

Three clutch 3-pointers from Marian nearing the end of the game sealed the deal for the Knights as they shot 41 percent from the field were 10-of-26 from behind the arc. Junior Lakan Hasser-Smith had a strong game leading her team with 19 points, as well as Kellie Sullivan with 15 points and four rebounds
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It was an all-around win though for the Knights who had eight players put points on the board with sophomore Joana Soeiro having a game high 12 assists.

Only ever leading by two in the first quarter, the Mustangs could never get ahead of the Knights, only outscoring them by one in the second quarter. Each quarter was evenly matched point wise, Morningside never falling behind by a significant amount.

A fourth quarter rally by Morningside and veteran Jessica Tietz who had game high 31 points ended her college career making the final shot of the game from under the basket, she also sank six points and two free-throws had Marian scrambling to stay ahead, but three 3-pointers and great ball handling by point guard Soeiro finished off the defending champions to give Marian its first trip to the national championship semifinals and 30 plus wins on the this, which is another first for the Knights.