WILMINGTON, Ohio — Wilmington College forced a Marietta College turnover with 0.4 seconds left on the clock to secure a 47-45 victory Monday (Feb. 23) evening in the first round of the Ohio Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament. The Pioneers finish the season 9-17 overall. Wilmington improves to 15-11 on the season and advances to face Capital University tomorrow in Columbus.
Senior
Heather Booth (Newport/Frontier) and freshman
Amisha Herd (Zanesville/West Muskingum) each scored 12 points to lead the Pioneers. Booth grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, while Herd and
Ashley Frasure (Logan/Logan) each pulled down seven boards. Booth finishes her career in the Navy Blue and White with 994 career points.
Brittaney Jefferson led Wilmington with 14 points. Courtney Tucker added 12 points, while Hannah Haeseker grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.
HerdWilmington was ice cold from the floor to start the game hitting just one of its first 21 shot attempts. However, the Pioneers failed to capitalize and actually trailed 26-23 at halftime.
The Quakers never trailed in the second half. Marietta stayed within striking distance and a layup from Herd with 20 seconds left tied the game at 45. The Pioneers fouled on the ensuing possession and Tucker hit one of two for a one point Quaker lead.
Marietta failed to score and was forced to foul again. Haeseker made one of two throws and Wilmington led 47-45 with nine seconds remaining. Following a timeout, Marietta inbounded the ball and raced up the court, but the Quaker defense forced a held ball and possession belonged to Wilmington with 0.4 seconds on the clock.
For the game, Marietta shot 32.7% (18-of-55) from the floor, 7.1% (1-of-14) from three-point range and 57.1% (8-of-14) from the line. Wilmington was 15-of-64 (23.4%) from the floor, 3-of-21 (14.3%) behind the arc and 14-of-24 (58.3%) at the line.
Wilmington edged the Pioneers on the glass 48-46. Marietta turned the ball over 12 times, while the Quakers committed nine turnovers.
Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.