Basketball Recap: Kariya Byer's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Mishawaka Marian over Elkhart Christian Academy

If Mishawaka Marian was feeling good fresh off their 45-24 takedown of New Prairie last Thursday, their most recent game may have dampened their spirits a bit. The Mishawaka Marian Knights came up short against the Elkhart Christian Academy Eagles on Tuesday, falling 57-36. While losing is never fun, the Knights can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Indiana basketball rankings (they are ranked 284th, while the Eagles are ranked 141st).

Mishawaka Marian's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kariya Byer, who dropped a double-double on ten points and 11 boards. The dominant performance also gave Byer a new career-high in assists (four). Another player making a difference was Fane Sete, who posted ten points.

Elkhart Christian Academy got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Lily Maxwell out in front who went 6 of 15 en route to 17 points and three steals. Maxwell is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed three or more in the last three games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Kyla Yordy, who earned 12 points in addition to eight rebounds and five assists.

Mishawaka Marian has traveled a rocky road recently having lost eight of their last nine matches, which put a noticeable dent in their 4-13 record this season. As for Elkhart Christian Academy, their win was their seventh straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 14-4.

Mishawaka Marian has already played their next contest (against Elkhart), but no score has been uploaded at the time of writing. Elkhart Christian Academy will challenge LaVille at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. LaVille will roll in looking for their fifth straight victory, something Elkhart Christian Academy surely won't give up without a fight.