Box Score ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Marietta College men's basketball team rebounded from its first loss in six games with a 67-55 road victory over the University of Mount Union Wednesday (Feb. 8) night. The win puts the Pioneers at 15-7 overall and 10-5 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Mount Union falls to 8-14 overall and 4-11 in the OAC. [Box Score]

The Pioneers now sit in a three-way tie for second place in the OAC with John Carroll and Wilmington. Capital sits atop the league with a two-game advantage.  

The game stayed tight for much of the first half as both teams traded baskets through the first 15 minutes of play. The score was tied four times in the opening stanza, the last being 21-21 with 5:50 left in the half. Marietta would control the final five minutes however, closing the half on a 12-3 run to lead at halftime 33-24.

Marietta was able to keep the Purple Raiders at bay in the second half of play. Mount Union closed the gap to five points at 47-42 with 8:47 remaining in regulation. Head Coach Jon VanderWal called a timeout and his team responded immediately. Marietta scored the next five points to go back up by 10, 52-42, with 7:46 remaining in the game.

The Pioneers pushed the lead to as many as 15 points on two occasions down the stretch as Marietta went on to win 67-55.

The Pioneers were led by senior post Kevin Knab (Lakewood/Lakewood) as he posted his second straight double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Junior post #J.J. Martin scored 13 points off the bench with five boards. Freshman guard (West Milton/Milton-Union)Brennan McKean# chipped in with nine points and six rebounds in the win.

Jimmy Wood led the Purple Raiders with a game-high 20 points to go along with four rebounds. T.J. Gillespie scored 13 points and also snagged four boards for Mount Union.

Marietta finished the game shooting 40% (19-of-47) from the field, 43% (9-of-21) from behind the arc and 71% (20-of-28) from the free throw line.

Mount Union shot 33% (17-of-52) from the field, 26% (6-of-23) from three and 56% (15-of-27) from the charity stripe.

The Pioneers held a huge advantage on the boards at 47-29.

Marietta will play its final regular season road game on Saturday (Feb. 11) afternoon with a trip Heidelberg University. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.