ASHLAND, Virginia — The College of New Jersey knocked off Marietta College by the score of 89-73 Friday (March 6) evening in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on the campus of Randolph-Macon College. The Pioneers finish the season with a 21-7 record. TCNJ improves to 20-8 overall and will play the host school tomorrow in the second round.
"It's always tough when your season is done. Give credit to the College of New Jersey. They shot over 50%, 46% from the three," Marietta head coach
Jon VanderWal. "They made all the plays and that is what you have to do in the NCAA Tournament. You've got to be ready to go make plays and they were just more ready to make shots than we were today. But, I'm proud of our guys for not giving up and fighting back."
The last two minutes of the first half and a slow start in the second half for Marietta was the difference in the game.
A jumper from
Mike Hall (Belpre, Ohio/Warren Local) with 2:02 left in the first half got Marietta within a point, 38-37, of the Lions. But TCNJ finished the half with a 7-1 run, including an offensive rebound and put back at the buzzer to lead 45-38 at the break.
The Lions kept the momentum to start the second half outscoring Marietta 18-2 in the early going and extending their lead to 62-40, with 15:06 left in the game. TCNJ maintained its 20-point lead over the next seven minutes.
Marietta refused to go quietly and a three-pointer from
Lukas Isaly (Clarington, Ohio/River) at the 7:43 mark triggered a 16-4 Pioneer run and closed the gap to eight points, 78-70, with 5:45 remaining.
Jason Ellis (Marion, Ohio/Marion Harding) scored 11 of MC's points during the run nailing two three-pointers and getting fouled on two other and converting 5-of-6 free throws.
TCNJ made all six free throws down the stretch and got a three-pointer and a layup from Travis Jocelyn to secure the win. The Lions were near perfect at charity stripe hitting 23-of-24 attempts on the night.
Ellis hit six three-pointers and led the Pioneers with 23 points. Isaly finished with 16 points, while
Caleb Hoyng (Celina, Ohio/Celina) had 10 points and six rebounds.
Tim Kreeger (Delphos, Ohio/Delphos St. Johns) grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
Randall Walko was 18-of-19 at the line and finished with a game-high 32 points for the Lions. Jocelyn chipped in with 22 points and Ryan Jensen added 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
