MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team advanced in the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament with a 53-49 win over Capital University, Tuseday (Feb. 25) evening inside Ban Johnson Arena. With the win the Pioneers improve to 14-12 overall and the Crusaders fall to 14-12 overall.    

"Marlo and Lex were huge for us down the stretch.  This time of year we really count on our seniors to lead us, and those two didn't let us down," said Head Coach Kole Vivian.  "Lex made an absolutely huge three and Marlo was incredible on both side of the ball all night."   

The first quarter got off to a slow start as Capital led, 3-0 through the first five minutes of action.  After the media timeout, the Crusaders scored five straight points and led, 8-0 at the 3:38 minute mark of the first quarter.  Jill Congrove (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) got Marietta on the board with a foul shot, and the Pioneers trailed 8-1 with just over three minutes to play in the quarter.  Marlo Taylor (Kimbolton, Ohio/Cambridge) and Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye) knocked down a pair of foul shots, but Marietta trailed 10-5 to enter the second quarter.  

Capital held a 13-7 edge early in the second quarter, but Marietta opened up a 7-2 run that trimmed the Crusaders lead to 15-14, and forced a Capital timeout with just under six minutes to play in the quarter.  The run was highlighted by five points from Congrove.  The Pioneers tied the game twice in the closing minutes of the second quarter when Taylor and Camille Cummins (MIddlefield, Ohio/Cardinal) each hit foul shots, but Marietta trailed 26-22 at the intermission.  

The Pioneers came out of the locker room ready to play, and grabbed a 31-29 advantage, as they outscored the Crusaders 9-3 early in the third quarter.  The early offense was led by Taylor and was helped by a layup from Bailee Brooks (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls).  Marietta was able to maintain its lead and held a 38-35 advantage to enter the final frame.  

Capital scored the first three points of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 38-38 two minutes into the final frame.  Devin Hefner (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) answered on the ensuing possession to give the Pioneers a 40-38 edge.  After the teams traded baskets through the middle of the fourth quarter, back to back buckets from Luce Duritza (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) put Marietta on top 46-43 with just under four minutes to play in the game.  The Crusaders trimmed the lead to 46-45 with a pair of foul shots, but a three pointer from Enochs put Marietta on top 49-45 with two minutes to play in the game.  The Pioneers closed out the game with a steal from Duritza, and Brooks, and Taylor each knocked down foul shots in the final minute.  Marietta won, 53-49.  

The Pioneers were led by Taylor as she scored a game high 18 points, and pulled eight rebounds.  Enochs pitched in with 13 points, five rebounds, and a pair of blocks in the game.  Congrove provided a spark off the bench with nine points.  

Marietta will return to the hardwood Thursday (Feb. 27) when they travel to battle Baldwin Wallace in the semifinals of the OAC Tournament, with tip-off 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.