MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team opened the 2020-21 season with an 82-80 win over Otterbein University, inside Ban Johnson Arena. The win gives the Pioneers a 1-0 overall record and a 1-0 record in the Ohio Athletic Conference, and with the loss the Cardinals fall to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the OAC.
"I am really proud of how we stuck together down the stretch when Ottrbein was making a big run. We did a great job of rebounding in the fourth quarter, and we needed all of them," said Head Coach
Kole Vivian. "Luce played really big minutes for us down the stretch, and Devin was great scoring and defending."
Marietta opened the first quarter strong with an 8-0 run, which forced an Otterbein timeout at the 7:19 minute mark. The run was sparked by an
Erin Hahn (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) layup and capped by a layup from
Devin Hefner (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South). Later in the quarter, the Pioneers stretched their lead to 20-5 behind a 9-2 run, which ended with just under three minutes remaining in the quarter. The run was highlighted by four points from
Hannah Schill (Rootstown, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban), and a three pointer from
Bailee Brooks (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls). Marietta entered the second quarter ahead, 23-10.
The Pioneers scored the first three buckets of the second frame, and saw their lead swell to 29-10 at the 8:47 minute mark of the quarter. The early offense came from Hahn and Brooks. The Cardinals responded with a 10-2 run that cut the Marietta lead to 31-20, with just under seven minutes to play in the half. Otterbein continued to fight back and trimmed the Pioneers lead to 39-37, with just under two minutes to play in the half. Marietta stopped the run when
Olivia Gribble (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) knocked down a three with under a minute to play in the half, and the Pioneers led, 42-37 at the intermission.
After the Cardinals scored the opening basket of the third quarter, the Pioneers responded with a 7-1 run, to put Marietta on top 49-40. The run was highlighted by a
Luce Duritza (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) three pointer, and capped by a layup from
Camille Cummins (MIddlefield, Ohio/Cardinal). The teams traded baskets thru the middle of the third quarter. Otterbein took its first lead of the night behind a 12-0 run, and led 62-59, with 38 seconds to play in the third quarter.
Jill Congrove (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) hit a pair of foul shots with 11 seconds remaining in the quarter, but the Pioneers entered the final frame behind 63-61.
The teams traded baskets for the first two minutes of the final frame, before Marietta opened up a 79-71 edge. The 12-2 run spanned four minutes of action, was sparked by a
Kelly Levering (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) layup, and capped off by a foul shot from Hahn. The Cardinals fought back and trimmed the Pioneers advantage to 81-80. Hefner was able to ice the game with a foul shot, and Marietta won 82-80.
The Pioneers were led by Hefner, she had a team high 17 points, and tied for the team lead in steals and assists with three, and two respectively. Hahn tallied a career high 11 points, and pulled down a game high eight rebounds. Brooks pitched in with 10 points, and tied for the team lead in steals with three. Duritza played solid minutes in the post, she notched nine points, seven rebounds, and had a team high three blocks.
Marietta will return to the hardwood Saturday (Jan. 23) when they travel to take on Otterbein University, with tip off scheduled for 6 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.
