MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team was in action Saturday (Nov. 24) as they hosted Hiram College in the opening game of the 34th Annual Jim Meagle Turkey Shoot sponsored by BSN Sports. The Pioneers defeated the Terriers, 57-42 in Ban Johnson Arena.
Head Coach
Kole Vivian said, "It certainly wasn't a pretty win, but I am really happy to be in the championship game of the Turkey Shoot. We did a really good job locking down on defense, and controlling the boards."
The first quarter opened as a defensive battle, as the match was scoreless for the opening three minutes of the game. In the first three minutes of action the Pioneers defense forced four turnovers. At the seven minute mark Marietta opened up a 6-0 run. The run was led by
Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye) as she had a pair of layups. The Terriers ended the first quarter on a 9-2 run and entered the second quarter ahead, 9-8.
Hiram scored the opening bucket of the second quarter, but the Pioneers responded with a quick 5-0 run to grab a 13-11 edge, with just under nine minutes remaining in the half. The Marietta run was capped by a three pointer from
Shay Lett (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe). The middle of the second quarter was back and forth as the game was tied or the lead changed hands five times in a three minute span. After the Terriers stretched out a 20-16 lead, Marietta answered back with an 11-0 run to take a 27-20 edge late in the half. Enochs,
Luce Duritza (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area), and
Bailee Brooks (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls) all scored during the run for the Pioneers. Hiram cut into the lead, but Marietta entered the intermission ahead, 27-25.
The teams traded baskets on their first two possessions of the third quarter, but then the Pioneers rattled off an 11-0 run to take a 41-29 edge. Marietta's run saw Enochs,
Corrie Burkhardt (Zanesville, Ohio/Philo),
Marlo Taylor (Kimbolton, Ohio/Cambridge), and Brooks knock down shots. The Pioneers maintained their double-digit advantage, and entered the fourth quarter ahead, 43-32.
Marietta opened the fourth quarter as they stretched their lead to 17 points, on a jumper in the point from
Jo Herd-Middlebrooks (Columbus, Ohio/DeSales). The Pioneers saw their lead swell to 19 points with just over a minute remaining in the game. Marietta won the game, 57-42.
The Pioneers were led by Enochs as she had a career high 20 points, as she shot 8-11 from the field. Enochs added a team high in rebounds with seven and had three assists, three blocks, and a pair of steals. Lett pitched in with seven points and led Marietta in assists with four. Brooks led the Pioneers in steals with three, and added three assists.
"Alexis was unbelievable tonight, as she came up with big shot after big shot", concluded Coach Vivian.
Marietta will be back in action Sunday (Nov. 25) when they play ninth ranked Trine University, an 86-35 winner over Frostburg State in the first round, in the championship game of the Turkey Shoot, with the game set to tip at 3 p.m.
Fans can follow all of the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
