Pioneers knock off rival Muskies
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The Marietta College women's basketball team earned a dominating 91-67 win over Muskingum University Saturday evening inside Ban Johnson Arena. With the win the Pioneers improve to 4-2 overall and 4-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, and with the loss the Fighting Muskies fall to 1-3 overall and 1-3 in OAC action.
"I am so happy we were able to get a win and have everyone on the team contribute in some way.
"We were moving the ball really well on offense and forced a ton of turnovers in the half court defense," said Marietta head coach Kole Vivian. "We talk about our offense and defense being so connected, and that was the case tonight."
The game opened as the teams swapped buckets for the opening five minutes of the game, and Marietta led 13-9. The Pioneers offense ran through the post players with Luce Duritza and Erin Hahn scoring 11 of the 13 points to open the game. The teams battled for the remainder of the quarter, and Olivia Gribble hit a three with under a minute to play, to send the Pioneers into the second quarter with a 28-20 edge.
The game remained close midway through the second quarter as Marietta led, 39-28 at the 4:52 minute mark. The Pioneers early second quarter offense was sparked by the three ball, as Gribble knocked down a pair and Madison Cecil hit one to force a Muskingum timeout. Over the final minutes of the second quarter, Marietta outscored the Fighting Muskies 13-5, to lead 52-33 at the intermission. The late second quarter offense was led by Jill Congrove and Mackenzie Wilson, as they combined for 10 of the 13 points.
The Pioneers outscored Muskingum, 10-4 through the opening two minutes of third quarter play. The early offense was sparked by a pair of three pointers from Gribble. Marietta maintained a comfortable lead for the remainder of the third quarter, and entered the final frame ahead, 77-53. Mariah Goodard and Cecil helped carry the late third quarter offense as they had five and four points respectively.
The Pioneers played a solid fourth quarter, and never let the Fighting Muskies back into the game. Katie McIlroy, Jordyn Kiser, and Ellen Vichill all hit foul shots with under a minute to play in the game, and Marietta won, 91-67.
Marietta was led by Gribble, she led all scorers with 17 points, on 5-7 shooting from behind the arc. Hahn pitched in with 13 points, and pulled down a team leading eight rebounds. Wilson and Cecil each provided a spark off the bench, as they both tallied eight points in the game. Wilson set a career high in rebounds with seven.
Marietta will return to the hardwood Friday when they travel to take host Wilmington College, with tip off scheduled for 7 p.m.
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NEW CONCORD -- Marietta College defeated Muskingum University by the score of 95-81 Saturday evening to sweep the season series from the Muskies. The Pioneers improve to 3-1 overall and 3-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Muskingum slips to 2-4 overall and 2-4 in the OAC.
"I'm really proud of our guys and their effort this weekend. It's never easy to come into New Concord and get a win," Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. "Every year we have to fight to the very end to escape with a W at this place. Our older guys really stepped up today and provided great leadership and I think that was the difference."
The opening five minutes of the first half was a defensive battle as Marietta led, 10-6, early in the game. The early Pioneer offense came from a pair of three pointers from Brett Martin and Jason Ellis and a pair of layups from Lukas Isaly and Sahmi Willoughby.
Midway through the first half the game was tied at 17 points apiece. Marietta opened up a 9-0 run to take a 26-17 edge at the 6:44 minute mark of the half.
The run was started by a layup from Tim Kreeger, highlighted by a three from Copper Parrott and capped by a pair of foul shots from Isaly.
The Pioneers were able to maintain their advantage for the remainder of the first half and entered the intermission ahead, 40-32. The late offense was a well-rounded attack as Isaly, Kreeger, Willoughby and Kyle Matoszkia all had buckets to close out the half.
Muskingum came out of the half and knocked down three straight three pointers to take a 41-40 edge, which forced a Marietta timeout at the 18:46 minute mark of the second half.
Out of the timeout Muskingum led 44-43 with just under 18 minutes to play in the game, but the Pioneers answered with an 8-2 run that gave Marietta a 51-46 edge. The run was started by a jumper from Isaly and capped by a layup from Willoughby.
The teams battled for a majority of the second half and the game remained close, 77-72, with just over four minutes to play. A quick 6-1 burst put Marietta on top 83-74 behind three consecutive buckets from Kreeger.
That was the cushion the Pioneers needed and Isaly helped ice the game with six made foul shots in the final two minutes of play to give Marietta a 95-81 win.
The Pioneers were led by Isaly as he tied a career high in points with 22, set a career high in assists with six and pulled down five rebounds. Kreeger tallied 21 points, on 8-of-11 shooting from the field and grabbed a team leading seven rebounds. Jason Ellis (Marion, Ohio/Marion Harding), Parrott, Martin and Willoughby all pitched in to score 10 points apiece.
Marietta will return to the hardwood Friday (Feb. 12) when they travel to take on Wilmington College, with tip off scheduled for 7 p.m.