MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College women's basketball team held strong for a half, but could not stay with Ohio Northern University the rest of the way in a 80-50 loss Saturday (Jan. 9) afternoon in Ban Johnson Arena. The loss dropped the Pioneers' record to 3-10 overall and 1-5 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). The Polar Bears improved to 9-5 overall and 4-3 in the OAC. [Box Score]

In a turnover plagued game, the Pioneers were able to stay with the Polar Bears through the first half and the beginning of the second half. 2 free throws from Aleisha Guiler (Lower Salem, Monroe Central) cut the once 10-point Polar Bear lead down to two points, 23-21, with 3 minutes left in the first half. Ohio Northern out scored Marietta 10-3 over the final 3 first half minutes to lead 33-24 at the break. The Pioneers kept the deficit below double digits in the early minutes of the second half before the Polar Bears went on a 15-0 run to lead 59-35 with 10:18 to play. Ohio Northern would lead by as mandy as 31 and went on to win convincingly, 80-50.

Guiler led all scorers with 19 points while collecting 3 rebounds. Senior Whitney Swain (Belpre, Warren Local) scored 8 while collecting 7 rebounds on the day.

The Polar Bears were led by Morgan Dumbaugh with 18 points. Jeanne Bockey recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Megan Porter came off the bench to score 11 points in the win.

The Pioneers finished the game shooting 15-of-52 (28.8%) from the field, 3-of-13 (23.1%) from behind the arc and 17-of-24 (70.8%) from the free throw line. Ohio Northern shot 29-of-53 (54.7%) from the field, 8-of-16 (50%) from three-point range and 14-of-16 (87.5%) from the free throw line. Ohio Northern led in rebounding 35-31 and committed 23 turnovers to Marietta's 25.

The Pioneers are back in action on Wednesday (Jan. 13) night at Otterbein College for a tip-off at 7:30 p.m.