ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team was in action Wednesday (Jan. 16) as they traveled to battle the University of Mount Union inside the MAAC. The Pioneers defeated the Purple Raiders 67-62. With the win Marietta improves to 10-6 overall and 5-4 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play, and with the loss Mount Union falls to 13-3 overall and 6-3 in OAC action.
Head Coach
Kole Vivian said, "It was a really good road win tonight in a really difficult place to play. We have been on a little bit of a skid, and I could not be more proud of how we stuck together down the stretch to finish it off".
The first quarter opened as a defensive battle with the Purple Raiders ahead 5-4 half way through the quarter.
Bailee Brooks (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls) and
Corrie Burkhardt (Zanesville, Ohio/Philo) had the points for the Pioneers. Marietta was able to grab a 10-7 advantage behind a 6-0 run. The run was sparked by
Shay Lett (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) as she scored or assisted on all six points. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter, but an old fashioned three point play from Brooks put the Pioneers ahead, 19-16 to enter the second quarter.
The second quarter got off to a slow start as Marietta led, 23-19 three and a half minutes into the second quarter. The four Pioneer points were scored by
Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye). Mount Union answered back with a 5-0 run and took a 27-26 edge with just over two minutes remaining in the half. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half and the Pioneers trailed, 31-30 at the intermission.
The Purple Raiders opened the second half with a quick 5-0 run to take a 36-30 edge, which forced a Marietta timeout. Out of the timeout, the Pioneers were able to open a 6-0 run that saw them regain a 39-38 advantage at the 6:34 mark of the third quarter. The run was sparked by a pair of three pointers from
Marlo Taylor (Kimbolton, Ohio/Cambridge) and Lett. The third quarter ended as a back and forth battle, as the game was tied or the lead changed hands seven times, and Mount Union entered the final frame ahead, 48-46.
The Pioneers battled back to take a 54-53 edge midway through the final quarter behind a pair of threes from Taylor and Lett. The teams traded the lead down the stretch and the game was tied at 58-58 with three minutes to play in the game. Marietta took a 62-59 advantage, when Enochs converted a layup with 33 seconds left in the game. The Pioneers put the game away at the foul line as Enochs knocked down three foul shots and Lett knocked down a pair with one second remaining. Marietta won the game, 67-62.
The Pioneers were led by Enochs, as she led all scorers with 19 points. Enochs added four rebounds and had three blocks in the game. Lett poured in 14 second half points and had 16 points in the game. Brooks pitched in with 11 points and three rebounds in the game. Burkhardt provided a spark off the bench with 10 points and nine rebounds in the game.
Marietta will return to the hardwood Saturday (Jan. 19) when they host OAC opponent Baldwin Wallace University, with tip off scheduled for 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.
