COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team was in action Wednesday (Jan. 9) evening as they traveled to compete against Capital University. The Pioneers were defeated by the Crusaders, 82-69. With the loss Marietta falls to 9-5 overall and 4-3 in Ohio Athletic Conference play, and with the win Capital improves to 9-5 overall and 4-3 in the OAC.
Head Coach
Kole Vivian said, "We talk about defense and rebounding all the time and tonight we did a poor job of that collectively."
The Pioneers opened the game on a quick 5-0 run as
Shay Lett (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) knocked down a pair of foul shots and a three pointer to open the game. Marietta was able to maintain their five point advantage as Jo Herd Middlebrooks hit a jumper to give the Pioneers a 12-7 edge at the 6:32 mark of the first quarter. Marietta continued to play well and stretched its lead to 19-9 behind a pair of fouls shots from
Cheyenne Barker (Belpre, Ohio/Belpre). The Crusaders closed out the quarter on a 10-0 run and teams entered the second quarter deadlocked at 19 points apiece.
Marietta opened the second quarter with back to back baskets from
Marlo Taylor (Kimbolton, Ohio/Cambridge) to take a 24-19 edge two minutes into the quarter. The Pioneers quick started continued when
Bailee Brooks (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls) knocked down a pair of jump shots to stretch Marietta's lead to 29-21 at the 5:35 mark of the second quarter. After the teams traded baskets for a couple of possessions, the Crusaders ended the half on an 8-0 run, to tie the game at 32-32 at the intermission.
The third quarter opened as a back and forth battle as the game was tied or the lead changed hands eight times in the opening five minutes. After a pair of free throws from Taylor and foul shot from
Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye) the Pioneers held a 48-45 advantage with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Capital closed out the quarter strong and led, 51-50.
The Crusaders opened the final frame on an 8-2 run that saw them take a 59-52 edge. The run was halted when Lett knocked down a pair of fouls shots. Capital answered with an 11-2 run, which gave them a 71-56 advantage with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Marietta battled for the final three minutes of the game but fell, 82-69.
The Pioneers were led by Lett as she led all scorers with a career high 24 points. Taylor pitched in with career highs in points and blocks with 16, and three respectively. Herd-Middlebrooks set a career high in rebounds with 13 and also had eight points.
Marietta will return to action Saturday (Jan. 12) when they travel to face Ohio Northern 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.
