INDIANAPOLIS - Sophomore Alex Sylvester (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) sank a jumper from 10 feet with three seconds to go to send the Marian University men's basketball team to a 56-54 victory over Taylor University at the Physical Education Center on Tuesday night.

The win improved the Knights' record to 10-12 overall and 3-9 in the Mid-Central College Conference, while Taylor dropped to 11-15 overall and 2-10 in the MCC.

Sylvester not only buried the game-winner, but also led three Knights in double figures with a game-high 20 points. It was his sixth 20-point game of the season and seventh of his career. The double-digit game was also his 16th of the season and 28th of his career.

Taylor jumped out to a six-point lead at 8-2 over the first 4:57, and ended up pushing the lead to eight, 15-7, with 10:41 to go in the first half. However, with the Trojans leading by seven, 22-15, with 6:45 to go, the Knights went on a 7-0 run to knot the score for the first time since 2-2 just 1:51 into the game.

However, the Trojans would reclaim the lead with a 6-0 run to close the half and take a 30-24 lead into the locker room.

Taylor was able to stake itself a lead due to a commanding inside game that out-scored the Knights by a 20-8 margin. The Knights did not help themselves as they shot just 33 percent (9-of-27) from the field in the first half, while Taylor shot 48 percent (14-of-29) in the first frame.

After the Trojans opened the second frame with a bucket to take an eight-point lead at 32-24, the Knights went on an 8-0 run to knot the score, 32-32, with 15:31 to go. The teams were knotted five more times. The final tie score of 54-54 came on a Taylor putback with just 16 seconds to go in the game.

The Knights found themselves with the ball and 15 ticks on the clock. They patiently brought the ball up the court and Sylvester drove the left side and put up a 10-foot jumper that quietly banked in with three seconds to go to stake the Knights a 56-54 lead with one second to go.

The Trojans would send a desperate heave from three-quarter court, but the referee waived it off since it came after the horn sounded. The bucket gave the Knights the 56-54 win and snapped a 13-game losing streak to the Trojans.

In addition to his 20 points, Sylvester led the Knights with a game-high seven rebounds and handed out a team-high three assists. Freshman Matt Dickerson (Evansville, Ind./Mater Dei) tallied 11 points and grabbed five rebounds, while junior Jordan Tucker (Kirklin, Ind./Clinton Central) notched 11 points and grabbed four boards.

The Knights shot 50 percent (13-of-26) in the second half, while Taylor shot 42 percent (10-of-24). The Knights closed the gap in the paint as they out-scored the trojans 18-12 in the second frame.

MU remains at home as they play host to the Kuyper College Cougars on Friday evening as part of a men's/women's doubleheader. The Knights will tip at 7 p.m., while the women's team tips at 5 p.m. Both games will air LIVE and LIVE STATISTICS will be provided at www.muknights.com.