Marietta College’s Jayden Bradshaw (24) goes up for a jumper as teammate Frank Waganfeald boxes out a defender during Saturday’s game against Mount Aloysius at Ban Johnson Arena. (Photo by Rebecca Wheeler)

Marietta College drained 11 three-pointers in the first half and never looked back as the Pioneers defeated Mount Aloysius College, 118-72, Saturday (Nov. 9) in the season opener for both schools.

“Tonight was a good start to the season. We shot the ball well and we were able to get a lot of guys minutes,” Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. “Obviously, we have plenty of things to work on, but tonight was a good opening effort.”

Danny Flood came off the bench to lead the first half scoring barrage for the Pioneers. Flood nailed five three-pointers as Marietta poured in 61 points before halftime. Back-to-back triples from Flood gave Marietta its first double digit lead of the game, 20-10, with 12:44 left in the first half.

The Mounties cut the deficit to nine when De’Von Haggans converted one of two free throws. But Marietta answered with a 12-2 run pushing the margin to 19 points, 32-13, four minutes later. Three-pointers from Jayden Bradshaw and De’Ovion Price capped the Pioneer run.

Flood made it a 30-point Marietta lead with his final two three-pointers of the half. A layup from Landry Palata in the final minute of the half gave Marietta a 61-31 lead at halftime.

Marietta steadily added to its lead throughout the second half. Even after the Pioneers cleared the bench, the margin continued to grow, ballooning to as many as 50 points, 118-68, on a three-pointer from Sawyer Thompson. All told, 16 different Pioneers scored in the game.

Frank Waganfeald led all players with 19 points and eight rebounds. Waganfeald was 8-for-10 from the field and dished out seven assists. Bradshaw and Flood both finished with 17 points, while Jack Main added 11 points and seven dimes.

Haggans led Mount Aloysius with 13 points. Will Hagwood had 10 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. Troy Tinch and BJ Busbee each chipped in with 10 points.

Marietta is back in action next weekend when the Pioneers host the annual Marietta Shrine Tournament on Friday and Saturday. Maryville plays Mary Washington at 6 p.m. on Friday followed by Marietta versus Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 8 p.m. The consolation game is set for 5 p.m. Saturday and the Championship game will tip at 7 p.m.

MC women win Andersen’s debut

BETHANY, W.Va. — The Marietta College women’s basketball team got their season off to a great start, in the head coaching debut of Jenna Andersen, as they overpowered Bethany College, 78-47, Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers move to 1-0 on the season and the Bison slip to 0-1 overall.

“I am really proud of us for coming away with a win in game one,” said Andersen. “There is a lot for us to still improve on, but it is always great to start the year in the win column! I am proud of our team for the toughness they showed today and how they competed.”

Bethany put the first points on the board as Addy Blazer stole a pass and scored on a layup on the other end of the floor, but Paige Tolson answered with a jumper to tie up the contest. Later in the quarter, the Pioneers rattled off 12 straight points with help of layups from Ella McMillen, Ella Rusmussen, Sophia Murray, and Abby Garner, pushing the lead to 16-6. The Pioneers went 10 of 15 from the free throw line in the quarter, taking a 23-8 lead into the second period.

The second period began with a bucket from Adi Hill as the Pioneers kept up the pressure and extended the lead. Tolson had a big stretch of minutes, scoring eight points in the quarter and Hannah Kroft’s layup with 1:31 remaining in the half pushed the lead to 33, the biggest of the half. Marietta took a 47-16 lead into halftime.

The Bison tried to get back into the contest as they outscored the Pioneers 20-15 in the third quarter. Early baskets from Kaedlee Potter and Lindsay Garrison bookended a trey from Ally Grake. Kroft hit from inside the paint to extend the lead to 34 at the 5:54 mark of the quarter, but the Bison continued to chip away at the deficit. Wheeler scored on a layup to cut the lead to 56-35, but the Pioneers slowed Bethany’s progress. Tolson’s layup in the closing seconds put Marietta on top, 62-36, entering the fourth quarter.

Tolson poured in the first five points of the fourth quarter and Bethany could not overcome the deficit. The game was stopped at the 3:35 mark as Amaria Jones was injured diving for a loose basketball on the floor. After a lengthy stoppage of play, the game was called and Marietta went on to post the 78-47 victory.

Tolson led the Pioneers with 18 points and collected three rebounds and two steals. Kroft added nine points and six rebounds, while Hill and Garner finished with eight points apiece. Garner also led the Pioneers with seven rebounds.

Lindsay Garrison led the Bison with 14 points.

Marietta will make their home debut on Wednesday when they arrive at the Ban Johnson Arena to battle Mount St. Joseph, scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off.