UPLAND, Ind. - The Marian University men's basketball team battled back from a nine-point halftime deficit, but could not overcome the Taylor University Trojans in a 47-44 defeat at Odle Arena in Upland, Ind., on Tuesday night.

The Knights fell to 7-7 on the season and 0-4 in the Mid-Central College Conference.

The frigid air must have invaded one end of the floor at Odle Arena as the Knights were ice cold from the field in the first half, and the Trojans had the same shooting woes at the same end of the court in the second frame.

The Knights shot just 29 percent (6-for-21) in the first half including an 0-for-9 stretch over the first 9:33 that allowed the Trojans to open a 16-1 lead. They out-scored the Trojans 16-10 over the final 10 minutes, but trailed by nine, 26-17, at the half.

Out of the locker room, the two teams traded buckets before the Knights were able to cut the lead to seven, 31-24, with 17:10 remaining. Taylor pushed the lead back to 12 at 36-24 with 15:58 to go.

The Taylor lead got as high as 13 points on three occasions, the last at the 4:26 mark with the score 46-33, but the Knights were not going to go down without a fight. They out-scored the Trojans 11-1 over the final four minutes, but it was not quite enough as Taylor was able to hang on for the slim 47-44 win.

Taylor shot just 25 percent (6-for-24) in the second half, while the Knights shot 43 percent (9-for-21) in the second frame.

Freshman Jared Hawkins (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) led the Knights with a team-high 10 points and had two steals. Freshman Matt Dickerson (Evansville, Ind./Mater Dei) grabbed a game-high eight rebounds for the Knights.

The Knights head to Mishawaka, Ind., on Saturday for a showdown with with NAIA Division II No. 3-ranked Bethel College. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.