A first-quarter battle between rivals Marian and Jim Thorpe quickly turned the Colts way on Wednesday night.

A strong and aggressive defensive effort from Marian in the second quarter helped to create a transition offensive assault on Thorpe, one that would continue for the rest of the game, and help the Colts come away with a 73-50 non-league victory.

“Our first quarters have really been the quarters where we have had the least success this season, and credit to them, they did shoot the ball very well in that first quarter,” said Marian head coach Scott Murphy. “In that second quarter defensively, we were able to lock in and force turnovers, and then get out in a transition. That to me was the difference in the game.”

Thorpe did hang with Marian in the first, as the Olympians would lead 15-14 after one. Thorpe shot 6-for-9 from the field, and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in the quarter.

Freshman Brody Schrantz, who has been doing some good things early in the season for JT, scored seven points in frame.

However, the Colts were able to keep pace with the Olympians’ hot-shooting start, and then in the second quarter would put together a stampede of open-court finishes. Quickly, Marian went on a 12-3 run, forcing five straight turnovers to give the Colts a 30-18 lead with just a little over three minutes to play in the half.

Six different Marian players would score in the second, as it would force a total of eight turnovers to help hold a 34-20 advantage at the break. The transition opportunities aided the Colts with an impressive 8-for-11 shooting performance in the second, while they held JT to just 2-of-10 shooting during that span.

Jesse Rodino would lead all scorers with 11 in the first half for Marian.

“We were able to stretch the lead there once we got going and we got out in transition. We also had a bunch of guys score there in the second, and that’s where we’ve been all season long,” said Murphy. “We have about four guys averaging double-figures, and these guys just love sharing the basketball.”

Marian senior guard Jacob Miller took over in the third, as the Colts continued to force turnovers and were able to get out and go. Miller scored eight points in the third, slashing and using his speed to take advantage of fast-break opportunities. Marian would up it’s lead to 51-33 heading into the fourth.

“Jacob is having a really good year for us. I think everybody saw tonight some of the things he is capable of,” said Murphy. “He gives you maximum effort on both ends of the floor. He can score it, but he’s also one of our best defenders as well. He really worked hard in the offseason, and it’s showing.”

Five more JT turnovers in the fourth would help the Colts go on another run to get up by as many as 25 points before they would put in their reserves for the remainder of the game.

DOUBLE-FIGURES

… Marian placed four players in double-figures. Miller led all scorers with 19. Jesse Rodino came through with 14 points and 10 boards, with James Rodino adding 14 and Julius Currie helping out with 12. Curran finished with 16 and Schrantz added 10 for Thorpe.

TURNOVER TOWN

… In Hometown, Thorpe struggled to handle the pressure defense from the Colts, as the Olympians turned it over 20 times. Marian had just seven turnovers.

EFFICIENT… The Marian offense was simply efficient in the second and third quarters, taking advantage of good looks. The Colts shot a combined 15-for-25 from the field over those two frames.

JIM THORPE

J. Spruill 3 2-2 9, Domski 2 0-0 6, Goldberg 2 0-0 5, Curran 7 1-2 16, Zurn 0 0-0 0, Moore 0 0-0 0, Gothard 0 0-0 0, Schrantz 2 0-0 10, Z. Spruill 2 0-4 4. TOTALS: 20 3-8 50.

MARIAN

Miller 9 0-0 19, Rosario 1 1-2 4, Ju. De La Cruz 0 0-0 0, Ja. De La Cruz 0 0-0 0, Je. Rodino 5 5-8 15, Tom 1 0-0 2, Thomas 2 0-0 6, Currie 5 0-0 12, Ja. Rodino 7 0-2 14, Hopeck 0 0-0 0, Griguoli 0 1-2 1, Cannon 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 30 7-14 73.

Jim Thorpe 15 5 13 17 - 50

Marian 14 20 17 22 - 73

Three-pointers: Marian Thomas 2, Currie 2, Miller 1, Rosario 1; JT - Domski 2, Schrantz 2, Curran 1, Goldberg 1, J. Spruill 1.