MILFORD CENTER — Marietta erased a 14-point deficit with five minutes to go to force overtime and escaped previously unbeaten Fairbanks with a 69-61 win Tuesday.

Nate Meihls, who led the Panthers with 16 points, hit a 3-pointer at the 5:05 mark to put Marietta in a 55-41 hole. Fairbanks didn’t score again until there was 1:41 remaining. By then, the Tigers were within striking distance.

Owen Riley knocked down three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to give Marietta momentum. Riley’s basket with 1:17 remaining cut it to 57-56, and Trey Hawkins’ bucket with 20 seconds left tied it at 58-all.

Fairbanks missed a shot at the buzzer to win it, forcing an extra session.

In OT, Hawkins stepped up for the Tigers, scoring six points, assisting Zaiden Wittekind on two dunks and registering four steals to make sure MHS left town with a victory. Hawkins led all scorers with 24 points. Riley added 18 while Wittekind and Logan Grosklos netted seven apiece.

Fairbanks (8-1) got 13 points each from Alek Orders and Evan Wiedmann. Luke Boehm added seven.

The Panthers led 16-15 after one, 27-26 at halftime and 44-38 after three.

Marietta, which improved to 7-2, returns home Friday to take on Meigs.

Parkersburg Catholic 84, Magnolia 52

NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. — Parkersburg Catholic improved to 6-1 with a dominating 84-52 win over Magnolia Tuesday.

The Crusaders, who play host to Fort Frye Friday, got 17 points from Preston Randolph, 16 from Luke Anderson and 13 from Leonardo DeAngelo. Carter Nelson and Jayden Walker scored nine apiece while Branson Lott chipped in eight.

PCHS led 14-6 after one, 38-18 at halftime and 64-38 going into the fourth.

Magnolia (2-3) got a game-high 18 points from Kingston Christen plus nine each from Brayden Byers and Drake Christen. Carson Wade netted seven for the Blue Eagles, who play host to Bridgeport Friday.

Parkersburg South 64, North Marion 62

SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — Parkersburg South hung on by the skin of its teeth Tuesday, defeating North Marion 64-62 in a battle of unbeatens in the Winter Classic.

Baron Davis, who had nine points off the bench for South, registered a steal in the final seconds to preserve the win for the Patriots, who improved to 5-0. Harry Silvis led the winners with 20 points, Taj Joyce added 14 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks and Matthew Mullen netted 10 points and eight boards.

Eli Ramsey scored a game-high 22 points for North Marion, which dropped to 3-1. Jacob Kucich and Conner Balwanz added 13 points apiece.

PSHS led 17-16 after one, but North Marion had it tied 32-all by halftime. The Patriots trailed 52-51 going into the fourth, but outscored NMHS 13-10 over the final eight minutes.

GIRLS

Gilmer County 42, St. Marys 26

GLENVILLE, W.Va. — The top two teams in single-A according to the latest West Virginia Coaches

Girls Basketball Poll squared off Tuesday when No. 2 St. Marys visited top-ranked Gilmer County.

GCHS overcame a 15-10 deficit after one and rallied for a 42-26 victory. The Titans held the Blue Devils to just two points each in the second and third quarters to take control.

Gilmer, which led 27-17 at halftime and 31-19 after three, got 16 points from Ava Dobbins and 12 more from her sister Blair. Paige Sterns added eight for the Titans, who improved to 4-0 and play host to Wirt County next Friday.

St. Marys, which dropped to 5-2, got 15 points from Bynnley Bulluck. The Devils, who visit Ritchie County Saturday, got outscored 32-11 over the final three periods.

Parkersburg Catholic 69, Ritchie County 61

ELLENBORO, W.Va. — Down 53-45 going into the fourth quarter, Parkersburg Catholic outscored Ritchie County 24-8 over the final eight minutes to claim a 69-61 win Tuesday in the Cowan-Spangler Memorial Tournament.

Ellie Kinnison and Macy Singer scored 17 points apiece for Catholic (6-1), which trailed 19-17 after one and 34-28 at halftime. Seneca Lang added 15 points while Anna Tokodi-Ruth netted 10 for PCHS, which is ranked No. 7 in Class A.

The fourth-ranked Rebels appeared on their way to their fifth straight victory to start the year, but 15 turnovers proved costly. Ritchie (6-1) got 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists from Elsa Law, plus 10 from Jordin Bailey. Chelsie Jeffrey added nine points, Emily Bush chipped in seven points and nine rebounds and Abbigayl Cox finished with six points, eight boards and five dimes.

Ritchie, which will try to bounce back against St. Marys Saturday at home, shot 43% (22 for 51) from the floor. Catholic visits Wirt County next Tuesday.