SPRINGFIELD — The Marietta College women’s basketball team took control in the second half lead and closed out the victory with some clutch fourth quarter free throw shooting to clinch a 60-52 victory over Wittenberg Tuesday afternoon.

The Pioneers improved to 5-7 on the season while the Tigers fell to 8-3.

After both team traded a pair of free throws to begin the game, Marietta took the lead with a layup from Emma Rasmussen and, after a three-pointer from Sarah Podkul, the Pioneers led 7-4 at the halfway mark of the quarter. Wittenberg answered with a 7-0 run, getting four points from Karson Karlblom to take a four point lead of their own. Marietta got a pair of layups from Kelsey Harlan and a layup from TJ Carpenter to tie it back up. The Tigers then hit a pair of free throws to close out the quarter and led 15-13 heading into the second.

After some traded baskets, Marietta came alive midway through the second quarter. Abby Garner came off the bench to score a tough layup to cut lead to one and Sophie Nelson hit a pair of three-pointers to put Marietta back into the lead, 24-19. Carpenter scored a tough bucket with under a minute and the Pioneers took 28-24 advantage into halftime.

After giving up an early layup by Karley Moore of the Tigers, the Pioneers scored six straight points, four by Kendall Sury, to extend their lead. Marietta kept up the pressure with baskets from Garner and Harlan and, after another three-pointer from Nelson, the Pioneers enjoyed a nine-point lead with less than five minutes remaining in the quarter. Despite going scoreless for three minutes, the Pioneers got layups from Carpenter and Rasmussen to close out the quarter and took a 45-36 lead into the fourth quarter

The fourth quarter got off to a quiet beginning but Wittenberg cut into the lead with a 5-0 run to cut the lead to six with 6:22 remaining. The Tigers got the lead down to four but were forced to foul to stop the clock. The Pioneers responded with going 11-for-16 from the line to keep the lead intact. The Pioneers would go on to claim the 60-52 victory to close out the 2025 calendar year.

Carpenter led the Pioneers with 11 points. Sury chipped in 10 points and tied with Rasmussen for team lead with six rebounds. Hanlan scored nine point and distributed four assists.

Karlblon led the Tigers with 15 points and five rebounds. Moore ended with 10 points.

The Pioneers will resume their conference schedule this Saturday as they will host Wilmington College. The contest is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will follow the men’s basketball matchup.