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Marietta College men, women entertain John Carroll

JORDAN HOLLAND The Marietta Times Marietta College’s Nate Walker, right, makes a move with the ball during a college men’s basketball game against John Carroll at Ban Johnson Arena.

Marietta College added another weapon to its arsenal with the return of All-OAC honoree RaNeal Ewing to the men’s basketball hardwood this month.

The 5-foot-11 senior standout was not in uniform when the D3 nationally-ranked Pioneers were upset at John Carroll University, 88-76, in an Ohio Athletic Conference tilt in early December.

Ewing is expected to be in the rotation on Winter Weekend Saturday at 3 p.m. against the visiting Blue Streaks (10-5 overall, 7-2 OAC). This will be his third game back.

“RaNeal being back, that’s another bench scorer that we need,” said MC sophomore forward Anthony Wallace after the Pioneers defeated Heidelberg University, 94-72, on Jan. 14. “Our second group is key for us.”

Added Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal, “It’s nice having RaNeal back. He gives us a little bit more depth.”

The Marietta men, 18th-ranked with a 12-4 (7-2 OAC) record, currently owns a modest three-game winning streak after beating Capital University, 78-65, Wednesday night in Columbus. The Pioneers are undefeated with a 6-0 mark at Ban Johnson Arena this season.

“It’s obviously a huge game,” said VanderWal of the Pioneers-Blue Streaks showdown. “The winner of this game has a huge advantage towards winning the regular season title.

“Both programs want it very badly and it’s going to be an intense battle.”

MC’s probable starters will be All-American A.J. Edwards, Dillon Young, Keith Richardson, Kyle Dixon, and Wallace.

Richardson had 31 points against the Blue Streaks in the first meeting.

Mike Moran-coached John Carroll, a 77-62 winner against Baldwin Wallace Wednesday, is expected to counter with David Linane, Brian Papich, Tim Ludlow, Ryan Berger, and Simon Kucharewicz.

Before the men’s game at the BanJo Saturday at 1 p.m., the Kole Vivian-coached MC women’s team will also be seeking to avenge an early season 77-66 setback at JCU.

The Pioneers (9-7, 3-6) are coming off a 54-41 loss to visiting Capital University Wednesday night. They had no double-digit scorers in the contest.

Against John Carroll, Marietta is expected to start Brooke Borich, Amisha Herd, Jordanna Rauch, Corrie Burkhardt, and Jenna Andersen.

The Kelly Morrone-led Blue Streaks (4-12, 2-7) will probably be featuring Katlyn Spahar, Madi Steiner, Sarah Sprecher, Chelbi Graham, and Shmoo Pryor.

Spahar had 27 points against the Pioneers in the first meeting.

NOTE: The Marietta College Winter Weekend will be celebrating the 34th Athletic Hall of Fame class of Allen Miller (football, wrestling, track), David Barton (baseball), Cynthia Boland (softball), Lindsay Letterie (rowing), and the late David Brown (rowing).

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