MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team was in action Saturday (Dec. 1) as they hosted John Carroll University in Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers defeated the Blue Streaks, 81-65. With the win Marietta improves to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play.
Head Coach
Kole Vivian said, "I am so proud of our effort today against John Carroll. To have five people score in double figures really speaks to the depth we are creating with our team."
The Pioneers came out of the gates strong, as they held a 9-3 advantage with just under seven minutes to play in the opening quarter. The quick start saw
Marlo Taylor (Kimbolton, Ohio/Cambridge),
Corrie Burkhardt (Zanesville, Ohio/Philo),
Bailee Brooks (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls), and
Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye) score for Marietta. John Carroll battled back to cut the Pioneers lead to 9-7, but the Pioneers responded with a 7-0 run, to take a 16-7 edge with just under four minutes remaining in the quarter. The run was sparked by Burkhardt as she scored four of the seven points during the run. Once again, the Blue Streaks battled back to cut the Marietta lead to 16-15, but the Pioneers entered the second quarter ahead, 23-19.
The second quarter opened as a back and forth battle as Marietta maintained a 30-26 advantage at the 5:34 mark of the second quarter. The Pioneers stretched their lead to 37-26 on an 7-0 run. The run was capped by a three pointer from Brooks off an assist from Taylor. John Carroll answered back with a 7-0 run of their own, but Marietta ended the half with a flurry, which was capped by a buzzer beater from Brooks. The Pioneers entered the intermission ahead, 44-33.
Marietta came out of the locker room ready to play, as they opened the second half on a 13-1 run that spanned the opening five minutes of the quarter. The run was highlighted by back to back baskets by
Cheyenne Barker (Belpre, Ohio/Belpre). The Pioneers were able to maintain their lead and entered the fourth quarter ahead, 65-47.
The teams traded baskets for a majority of the fourth quarter, but Marietta took its largest lead of the night when
Shay Lett (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) converted a layup with four minutes remaining in the game, to give the Pioneers a 77-54 edge. Marietta closed out the game and won, 81-65.
The Pioneers were led by Burkhardt as she had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the game. Barker provided a spark off the bench as she notched a career high in points with 13 on 60% shooting from behind the arc. Lett had a game high in assists with six and pitched in 10 points. Enochs provided solid defense as she had a game high three blocks, and five rebounds.
"John Carroll threw a lot at us with a zone and full court pressure and we were able to respond like a mature basketball team", concluded Coach Vivian.
Marietta will return to the court Wednesday (Dec. 5) when they host fourth ranked Thomas More College, with the game set to tip at 7 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.
