MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team was in action Wednesday (Dec. 5) evening as they hosted fourth ranked Thomas More University in Ban Johnson Arena.  The Pioneers upset bid fell short and the Saints won, 81-75.  

Head Coach Kole Vivian said, "We have grown up so much as a team in the last few weeks.  To take one of the best teams in the nation down to the wire when we were down by 16 points is a credit to our leadership."

The first quarter opened as a defensive battle, as the game remained tied at 3-3 three minutes into the game.  Marietta had a quick offensive burst to take a 7-3 lead when Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye) and Corrie Burkhardt (Zanesville, Ohio/Philo) each scored for the Pioneers.  The game stayed tight, but Marietta stretched its largest lead of the quarter to 16-10 when Burkhardt notched a layup with 42 seconds left in the quarter.  The Pioneers entered the second quarter ahead, 16-14.  

Thomas More opened the second quarter on a 6-1 run which provided the Saints with a 20-17 advantage.  Marietta battled back and regained a 23-22 edge when Marlo Taylor (Kimbolton, Ohio/Cambridge) converted a fast break layup off an assist from Shay Lett (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe).  After the teams traded baskets for a couple of minutes, Thomas More went on a 7-1 run and took a 37-29 edge with just under two minutes to play in the half.  The Pioneers cut the Saints lead to 40-35 at the half as Cheyenne Barker (Belpre, Ohio/Belpre) scored the final bucket of the second quarter.  

Out of the intermission, Marietta cut the Thomas More led to 51-49 as Jo Herd-Middlebrooks (Columbus, Ohio/DeSales) scored a fast break layup off a feed from Bailee Brooks (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls).  The Saints responded with a 9-0 run that saw them take a 60-49 edge with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter.  Thomas More ended the quarter strong and the Pioneers trailed, 65-52 to enter the final frame.  

Marietta opened the fourth quarter with a quick 5-0 run that cut into the Saints lead.  The run was led by Burkhardt as she scored all five of the points during the run.  Thomas More answered back with a 7-0 run and took a 72-57 lead with just over six minutes left in the game.  Marietta responded with an 11-0 run that spanned just over three minutes and cut the Saints edge to 75-70.  The run was sparked by free throw shooting as Brooks knocked down a pair of foul shots.  The Pioneers continued to cut into the Thomas More lead as they trimmed the lead to 78-75 when Lett hit a three pointer off an assist from Brooks.  Marietta's come back bid fell short and, the Saints won 81-75.  The 75 points the Pioneers scored are the most allowed by the Saints all season, as Thomas More opponents average 51 points per game.    

The Pioneers were led by Burkhardt as she notched her second double-double on the season with a team highs in points with 22 and rebounds with 13.  Lett pitched in with 20 points and five assists.  Brooks led the Pioneers in assists with six and notched nine points in the game.  

"We showed tonight we can play with anyone in the nation", concluded Coach Vivian. 

Marietta will return to the hardwood Saturday (Dec. 15) when they travel to take on Ohio Athletic Conference opponent Wilmington College, 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.