MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team was in action Friday (Jan. 18) when they hosted Baldwin Wallace University inside Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers were victorious over the Yellow Jackets, 64-56. With the win Marietta improves to 11-6 overall and 6-4 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play, and with the loss Baldwin Wallace falls to 12-5 overall and 6-4 in OAC action.
The win gives the Pioneers' senior class 63 wins, which is the winningest senior class in Marietta women's basketball history.
Head Coach
Kole Vivian said, "We did not start out like we wanted to, but our second group really gave us a huge lift to get us back in the game. In the second half we knew if we could keep it close that our crowd and energy would put us over the top."
The Yellow Jackets opened the game on an 11-2 run that spanned the opening five minutes of the game. The lone Marietta bucket was scored by
Jo Herd-Middlebrooks (Columbus, Ohio/DeSales). Baldwin Wallace was able to extend its lead to 15-2 before six straight Pioneer points cut the lead to 15-8. The baskets were scored by
Cheyenne Barker (Belpre, Ohio/Belpre) and
Bailee Brooks (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls). Marietta trailed the Yellow Jackets 18-8 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter opened as a back and forth battle, as the Pioneers trailed 26-17 after
Shay Lett (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) converted an old fashioned three point play. Back to back baskets from
Corrie Burkhardt (Zanesville, Ohio/Philo) and Lett pulled Marietta within seven points, and forced a Baldwin Wallace timeout. The Pioneers battled for the remainder of the quarter and a three from Brooks as time expired trimmed the Yellow Jackets lead to 31-24 at the intermission.
The third quarter opened as the teams traded baskets. The Pioneers stayed close with a couple of three pointers from Lett and
Marlo Taylor (Kimbolton, Ohio/Cambridge). Burkhardt tied the game at 38 points apiece when she scored five straight points, with just over three minutes to play in the third quarter. Marietta took its first lead of the game when Burkhardt converted a layup and foul shot to put the Pioneers up 43-41 late in the third quarter. Marietta entered the fourth quarter ahead, 43-42.
Baldwin Wallace regained a 48-46 edge to open the fourth quarter and took a 50-46 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the game. The Pioneers answered with an 8-0 run that saw them take a 54-50 edge at the 4:30 mark of the final quarter. The run was capped by
Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye) as she scored the final five points of the run. The Yellow Jackets responded to tie the game at 54 points apiece. Marietta rattled off a quick 6-0 run and put the game away. The Pioneers won, 64-56.
Marietta was led by Lett, as she led all scorers with 19 points, and grabbed five rebounds. Enochs pitched in with 10 points. Burkhardt added nine points and five rebounds off the bench.
"Corrie was unbelievable in there and Cheyenne and
Luce Duritza (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) made some big plays for us. Shay and Jo were great leaders at the end of the game, and they made the winning difference", concluded Coach Vivian.
Marietta will return to the hardwood Wednesday (Jan. 23) when they travel to take on Otterbein University, with tip scheduled for 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.
