MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team was in action Wednesday (Nov. 28) as they hosted Otterbein University to open Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play. The Pioneers defeated the Cardinals, 75-65 in Ban Johnson Arena. With the win Marietta improves to 4-1 on the season.
Head Coach
Kole Vivian said, "We talked a lot about moving the ball on offense these last few days at practice and it showed tonight. To have 19 assists on 22 shots made showed our commitment to playing together on offense."
The teams traded baskets for the first five minutes of the game as the game was tied or the lead changed hands 12 times. The Pioneers opened a quick 7-0 run that saw them take an 18-11 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
Corrie Burkhardt (Zanesville, Ohio/Philo),
Marlo Taylor (Kimbolton, Ohio/Cambridge), and
Jill Congrove (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) all scored during the run. Otterbein responded to cut the Marietta lead to 18-17, but the Pioneers entered the second quarter ahead, 23-20.
The second quarter opened as defensive battle, as the first two minutes were scoreless. Marietta broke the scoreless drought and opened up a 7-0 run that provided them a 30-20 advantage. The run was highlighted by a pair of layups from
Bailee Brooks (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls) and
Shay Lett (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe). The Pioneers maintained their edge and entered the intermission ahead, 36-27.
After a basket from the Cardinals opened the second half, Marietta rattled off 12-2 run to give them a 48-31 edge half way through the third quarter. The run was led by Burkhardt as she had seven of the 12 points during the run. Later in the quarter, the Pioneers lead swelled to 18 points when
Jo Herd-Middlebrooks (Columbus, Ohio/DeSales) connected on a foul shot. Marietta finished the quarter strong and entered the final frame ahead, 60-44.
The teams traded baskets to open the fourth quarter before Otterbein went on a 7-0 run which cut the Pioneers advantage to 68-61 with just under three minutes remaining in the game. Marietta finished off the game at the foul line with
Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye), Lett, and Brooks all making free throws. Taylor had a pair of offensive rebounds late in the game to help seal the Pioneers victory. Marietta won the game, 75-65.
The Pioneers were led by Burkhardt as she had 17 points, and a team high nine rebounds. Lett added 17 points and led Marietta in assists with five. Taylor pitched in with 13 points which is a career high and grabbed eight rebounds for the Pioneers.
"Otterbein is a good team and they were able to make a run on us in the fourth quarter, but we were able to sink our free throws, and end it. This was a really good way to open conference play", concluded Coach Vivian.
Marietta will return to the court Saturday (Dec. 1) when they host OAC opponent John Carroll University, 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.
