MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team was defeated 59-55, in the semifinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament by Ohio Northern University. The Pioneers finished the season with an 18-9 record and the Polar Bears advance to the Championship with a 15-12 record.
Head Coach
Kole Vivian said, "I am so proud of our effort and our seniors tonight. They have taught our team how to battle and it showed tonight."
The first quarter got off to a slow start as the game remained deadlocked at zero until a steal and a layup from
Corrie Burkhardt (Zanesville, Ohio/Philo) put the Pioneers up 2-0 three minutes into the game. The Polar Bears hit a three, but a quick 6-0 from Marietta put them up 8-3 at the under five minute media timeout. The run was highlighted by a pair of layups from
Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye) and
Shay Lett (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe). Out of the timeout, Ohio Northern went on an 8-2 run to take an 11-10 with under a minute to play in the first. A foul shot from
Cheyenne Barker (Belpre, Ohio/Belpre) tied the game at 11 points apiece and the teams entered the second quarter deadlocked at 11-11.
The second quarter opened as the teams swapped baskets, and the Polar Bears led, 19-18 at the 4:45 mark in the second quarter. Ohio Northern was able to stretch out a 10-0 run that saw them take a 29-18 advantage, which forced a Pioneers timeout with 2:26 minutes to play in the half. Marietta held the Polar Bears scoreless for the remainder of the half and a three from Lett and a pair of foul shots from Enochs cut the Ohio Northern lead to 29-23 at the intermission.
The third quarter was back and forth early and a three pointer from
Marlo Taylor (Kimbolton, Ohio/Cambridge) made the score 31-27 in favor of the Polar Bears and forced an early Ohio Northern timeout. Out of the timeout, Taylor continued to knock down shots, as back to back three pointers put the Pioneers up 33-31. The game remained tight and the teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 39 points apiece.
The Polar Bears opened the fourth quarter with five quick points and took a 44-39 edge, which forced a Marietta timeout at the 8:24 mark of the fourth. Out of the break, the Pioneers regained a 46-44 lead with a 7-0 run, and forced an Ohio Northern timeout. The run was led by Burkhardt as she scored five Marietta points. The game was back and forth down the stretch as the lead changed hands a couple of times, but the Polar Bears led, 56-53 with just over a minute to play. A pair of Burkhardt free throws, cut the lead to 56-55 with 28 seconds to play. Ohio Northern sealed the game with a foul shot and won, 59-55.
The Pioneers were led by Burkhardt as she had her fifth double-double on the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Taylor added 14 points, and pulled down six rebounds. Enochs pitched in with 10 points, three blocks, and three steals.
"We had to adjust some of our regular lineups after an injury, but we stuck with a very good team and had a chance at the end," concluded Coach Vivian.
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.
