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The Marietta College women's basketball team got off to a quick start and never trailed as they easily defeated Muskingum University, 70-47, Wednesday (Feb. 1) evening in Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers improve to 14-6 on the season and 9-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Muskingum slips to 7-13 overall and 4-9 in conference games.
Marietta's Hannah Kroft scored the first four points of the contest giving the Pioneers the early lead. Olivia Gribble and Erin Hahn came off the bench and made an immediate impact. Gribble hit from three-point range and Hahn scored on a driving layup and Marietta led 9-4 halfway through the quarter. Ally Grake poured in five consecutive points with 2:05 remaining and Muskingum could only answer with a free throw. Marietta took an 18-7 lead heading into the second quarter.
Claudia Harrington scored the first bucket of the second quarter as she hit from outside the perimeter for the Fighting Muskies, but Marietta rattled off the next 10 points to extend the lead, 28-10. The run was fueled by Hahn who scored eight of those 10 points. Kelly Levering's layup at the 5:22 mark sent the Pioneers on another large run, scoring 13 points over the next three minutes and Marietta took a commanding 41-17 lead at halftime.
Both teams started the third period cold, which had a worse effect on the Muskies as it hampered their chances at a comeback. Devin Hefner's three pointer with five minutes left in the third extended the lead to 23. After the two teams traded baskets, Adi Hill hit from downtown two minutes later to extend the lead further and the Pioneers led 57-32 entering the fourth quarter.
Kroft scored on a layup midway through the fourth quarter to give Marietta its biggest lead of the night, 61-34. The Pioneers cleared their bench soon after and went to post the 70-47 victory.
Hahn led the Pioneers with 12 points and collected 11 rebounds. Kroft finished with 10 points. Hefner finished with nine points and added three assists and two steals. Camille Cummins added eight rebounds to the mix.
Muskingum's Harrington led all scorers with 17 points. Halle Morehead chipped in six points. Caitlyn DeMassimo scored 4 points and led the Muskies with six rebounds.
Marietta is back in action on Saturday when they travel to battle John Carroll University. They are scheduled for a 4 p.m. tipoff following the men's matchup with the Blue Streaks.
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NEW CONCORD -- Two free throws from Lovenson Xavier with two seconds left on the clock sealed a 68-65 victory for Marietta College Wednesday at Muskingum University. The Pioneers improved to 13-7 overall and 8-5 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Muskingum falls to 1-19 overall and 1-12 in the OAC.
"We struggled to make offensive plays today and it almost cost us," Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. "Obviously we are happy to get the win, but we need to play a lot better in our upcoming games. Give Muskingum credit, it's been a long season for them, but they are still fighting and competing."
Frank Waganfeald hit a three-pointer to give Marietta a 13-point lead, 65-52, with 4:23 left in the game. The Muskies scored the next eight points and finished off a 13-1 run with a triple from DJ Donnell to get within one, 66-65, with 24 seconds on the clock.
Muskingum was forced to foul, and David Sanford missed the front end of a one-and-one. Bradley Russell grabbed the rebound for the Muskies but Duane Davis missed the go ahead layup. Xavier pulled down the rebound and was quickly fouled. Xavier hit both free throws to secure the 68-65 win.
Cooper Parrott sank four three-pointers and led all scorers with 19 points. Jack Main hit three shots from behind the arc to finish with nine points and six rebounds. Xavier added nine points and five boards, while Ethan Andersen had eight points and five caroms.
Donnell led the Muskies with 14 points. Kaelan Pulliam chipped in with 10 points.Davis finished with nine points and six rebounds, while Noah Begue added nine points.
Andersen scored the first basket of the game, but Muskingum tallied the next 10 points for an early eight-point lead. The Pioneers slowly chipped away at the deficit and a three-pointer from Ryan Magill at the 12:46 mark gave Marietta the lead, 15-13. The Pioneers led 37-31 at halftime.
Following a three-pointer from Begue to open the second half, Marietta went on a 9-0 run building a 12-point lead, 46-34, five minutes into the period. Three-pointers from Parrott and Xavier highlighted the run.
Jac Alexander drained a three-pointer at the 7:42 mark pushing the Marietta advantage to 15 points, 59-44, before the Muskies battled back taking the game down to the final seconds.
Marietta travels to University Heights on Saturday for a game against No. 7 ranked John Carroll University. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.