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Pioneers crack Top 25 in Division III

Marietta College opens OAC play tonight

Marietta College’s Alexis Enochs drives to the basket during a college women’s basketball game earlier this season at Ban Johnson Arena. Photo courtesy of France Moise

Undefeated at 4-0 and averaging 83.5 points per game, the nationally-ranked number 25 Marietta College women’s basketball team definitely packs an offensive wallop.

But it’s the other end of the court that has MC head coach Kole Vivian a little concerned.

“We need to be a little better on the defensive end,” said the second-year boss, whose navy blue and white cagers are giving up an average of 72.5 ppg.

Especially with MC’s Ohio Athletic Conference opener against the visiting Otterbein University Cardinals at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Ban Johnson Arena.

Otterbein currently owns a 3-2 overall mark

“They can fill it up, so if we don’t get those issue fixed on defense, they’re going to be able to score a lot of points,” Vivian said.

Also in action at 7 p.m. tonight, the NCAA Division III, No. 6-ranked Marietta College men (4-0) are slated to play winless Otterbein University (0-5) in an OAC opener in Westerville.

Against the OU women, MC is expected to start Jenna Andersen (9.3 ppg), Amisha Herd (12.3 ppg), Shay Lett (10 ppg), Brooke Borich (11.3 ppg), and Corrie Burkhardt (12.8 ppg, 9.3 rebounds per game).

Look for Alexis Enochs (9.8 ppg) and Laura Pullins (7.5 ppg) to be the first people off the pine.

“That’s something that makes us unique,” Vivian said. “We’ve got so many people that can score. They’re fun to coach and watch.

“It’s tough for teams to be able to guard us, because our bench is so good. Alexis (Enochs) is one of the best players in the league, and she’s coming off the bench for us.”

In a preseason OAC poll, Marietta was picked number two while Otterbein was sixth.

“Being picked as the number two team in the conference has kind of put a bull’s-eye on our back,” Vivian said. “But it’s something we’re getting used to. Teams will be giving us their best shot each night. So, we’re excited about Wednesday, but we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Borich, the MVP in last weekend’s Turkey Shoot at the BanJo, agreed and added, “We’re excited to see what we can do this week and how we come out. Once we start conference play, that’s when it really matters.”

On the men’s side, Marietta’s probable starters vs. the Cardinals will be Anthony Wallace (16 ppg), Kyle Dixon (13.8 ppg), Avery Williams (12.3 ppg), Dillon Young (12.3 ppg), and Caleb Hoyng (8.3 ppg). DeVaughn Wingard (11.8 ppg) and Kyle Woodruff (8.5 ppg) are also in the rotation.

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