Box Score MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team fought hard until the final buzzer, but was not able to overcome a tough Ohio Northern squad falling 83-73 Saturday (Feb. 4) afternoon inside Ban Johnson Arena. Marietta slips to 9-12 overall on the year and 4-10 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Ohio Northern improves to 18-3 overall and 12-2 in the OAC. [Box Score]

With the score 40-29 in favor of the Polar Bears at the half, it looked as if Ohio Northern was going to put the game out of reach early in the second period quickly pushing the lead to 60-40 with 12:52 left in the second half.

The margin stayed between 15-20 points for the next five minutes before Marietta started to make a final push. The Pioneers went on 15-4 run down the stretch to cut the Polar Bear lead to 75-70 with 2:06 remaining in regulation. Ohio Northern regained its footing in the final minutes and held on for the 83-73 victory.

Freshman post Candace Alexander led the Pioneers with 15 points and three rebounds. Junior post Aleisha Guiler (Lower Salem/Monroe Central) scored 14 points with three rebounds and two assists. Sophomore guard Tori Dixon (Londonderry/Vinton County) chipped in with 12 points and a game-high seven assists on the day.

Cenzie Yoder led all scorers with 22 points, five rebounds and four steals. Joanna Snyder scored 19 points while Kara Dysert chipped in with 13 points and a game-high nine boards.

Marietta finished the game shooting 52.8% (28-of-53) from the field, 38.5% (5-of-13) from the three-point range and 100% (12-of-12) from the free throw line.

Ohio Northern shot 50.8% (32-of-63) from the field, 46.2% (6-of-13) from behind the arc and 86.7% (13-of-15) from the free throw line.

The Polar Bears held a slim edge on the boards 29-28 but committed only nine turnovers to Marietta's 18.

The Pioneers return to action on Wednesday (Feb. 8) night against Mount Union. Tip-off from Ban Johnson is schedule for 7:30 p.m.