ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — In a frantic Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament clash defined by a star’s duel and a furious second-half rally, Justin Menard scored 26 points and Marist survived a late Quinnipiac charge to edge the Bobcats 77-75 on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall.

The game, a back-and-forth affair that saw a 10-point halftime lead nearly evaporate completely, was ultimately decided by a single defensive stand in the final seconds. With Marist clinging to a two-point lead, Quinnipiac’s Tai Turnage attempted a hook shot in the lane, but it was blocked by Marist’s Jaden Daughtry. Rhyjon Blackwell secured the defensive rebound as time expired, sealing the victory for the Red Foxes.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final 33 seconds. After Quinnipiac’s Grant Randall, who led all scorers with 28 points, hit a 3-pointer and a subsequent free throw to cut Marist’s lead to 73-72, the Red Foxes’ Jadin Collins-Roberts was fouled. He calmly sank both free throws to push the lead back to three. On the ensuing possession, Quinnipiac’s Keith McKnight missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer. Randall grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled on the putback attempt with 12 seconds left. He made the first free throw to make it 75-73 but missed the second. Marist’s Blackwell was then fouled and split his pair at the line, setting the stage for the final defensive stop that preserved the win.

Marist, the visiting team, improved to 19-11 overall, while Quinnipiac fell to 19-13. The game was a rubber match after the teams split their two regular-season meetings.

The Red Foxes controlled the first half, building their advantage through efficient perimeter shooting and disruptive defense. They shot 50% from 3-point range before halftime, with Menard and Blackwell combining for four makes from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Quinnipiac struggled from the floor, shooting just 23 of 63 for the game. Marist also forced 13 Bobcat turnovers, converting them into key transition opportunities.

Menard, a guard from Higganum, Connecticut, was the catalyst for Marist, adding six assists and three steals to his scoring output. Collins-Roberts, from Edison, New Jersey, contributed 19 points and four assists. Blackwell finished with 11 points, and Parby Kabamba added nine.

Quinnipiac’s rally was spearheaded almost single-handedly by Randall. The 6-foot-9 forward from Queens, New York, scored 21 of his 28 points in the second half, willing the Bobcats back into contention. Amarri Monroe supported him with 18 points, but the rest of the Quinnipiac lineup combined for just 29 points on inefficient shooting.

The Bobcats dominated the glass, grabbing 16 offensive rebounds to Marist’s 14, and went to the free-throw line 32 times compared to Marist’s 21. However, they converted only 21 of those attempts, a critical shortcoming in a tight game. Marist, while shooting a lower percentage from the field overall, was more effective from deep, making 9 of 18 3-pointers.

Statistically, Marist operated more efficiently, scoring 77 points on 73 possessions for an offensive rating of 105.5. Quinnipiac managed 75 points on 75 possessions, a rating of 99.7. The Red Foxes also recorded 10 steals and seven blocks, showcasing their defensive activity.

The victory propels Marist forward in the conference tournament, while Quinnipiac’s season, barring a postseason invitation, likely concludes. The game defied the pregame expectations, as Quinnipiac had been installed as a slight one-point favorite by oddsmakers. The combined score of 152 points also sailed over the projected total of 130.