BEXLEY, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team earned a 54-53 road victory over Capital University on Wednesday (Feb. 5) evening inside the Capital Center. With the win the Pioneers improve to 10-10 overall and 6-7 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, and with the loss the Crusaders fall to 11-9 overall and 6-7 in OAC action.
"Unbelievable road win for us. Alexis really put us on her back. She wanted this win so bad, and she showed why she is one of the best players in the league," said Head Coach
Kole Vivian. "Luce was great off the bench and Campbell made the biggest shot she's ever made to give us the lead with under a minute. I am so proud of our effort after being down double-digits in the third quarter."
The teams got off to a slow start, as Capital led 6-5 midway through the opening quarter. The Pioneer points were scored by
Jill Congrove (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) and
Camille Cummins (MIddlefield, Ohio/Cardinal). The Crusaders scored the final four points of the first quarter and led, 10-5 at the end of the quarter.
The team swapped baskets to open the second quarter, and Marietta cut the lead to 14-11, three minutes into the quarter.
Devin Hefner (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) got the scoring started in the second with a pair of foul shots, and
Mackenzie Campbell (Sabina, Ohio/East Clinton) scored the next four points on a pair of jumpers. The game remained tight through the middle of the quarter, and a
Luce Duritza (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) layup made the score, 20-17 with three minutes to play in the half. Late in the quarter, the Crusaders led, 25-20, but the Pioneers answered with a 6-0 run to grab a 26-25 edge with under a minute to play in the half. The run was highlighted by a three from
Alexis Enochs (Beverly, Ohio/Fort Frye). Capital answered back and led, 29-26 at the intermission.
The Crusaders opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run that saw them take a 38-28 lead, with six minutes remaining in the quarter. The Marietta bucket came off a layup from Enochs. After Capital took a 42-31 edge, the Pioneers answered with a 9-0 run to trim the lead to 42-40 with two minutes to play in the third quarter. The run was a well-rounded attack as Enochs, Duritza, and Hefner all scored. Marietta entered the fourth quarter behind, 44-41.
The Pioneers started the fourth quarter on a 7-2 run that saw them grab a 48-46 edge two minutes into the final frame. The run was started by a pair of foul shots from Congrove and capped by a three from Enochs. The teams battled down the stretch, as the lead changed hands four times, and the Pioneers lead 52-51 behind a layup from Duritza with just under three minutes to play in the game. The Crusaders notched a one point, 53-52, advantage with a minute to play in the game. On the ensuing Marietta possession Campbell scored the game winning layup with 34 seconds remaining in the game, and the Pioneers won, 54-53.
Marietta was led by Enochs as she had 21 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in the game. Duritza added a career high in points and steals, with 12 and three respectively.
Marietta will return to the hardwood Saturday (Feb. 8) when they host Ohio Northern University on Winter Weekend. Tip off is scheduled for 1 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.
