NEW CONCORD, Ohio – Marietta College defeated Muskingum University by the score of 95-81 Saturday (Feb. 6) evening to sweep the season series from the Muskies. The Pioneers improve to 3-1 overall and 3-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Muskingum slips to 2-4 overall and 2-4 in the OAC.
"I'm really proud of our guys and their effort this weekend. It's never easy to come into New Concord and get a win," Marietta head coach
Jon VanderWal said. "Every year we have to fight to the very end to escape with a W at this place. Our older guys really stepped up today and provided great leadership and I think that was the difference."
The opening five minutes of the first half was a defensive battle as Marietta led, 10-6, early in the game. The early Pioneer offense came from a pair of three pointers from
Brett Martin (Massillon, Ohio/Massillon Washington) and
Jason Ellis (Marion, Ohio/Marion Harding) and a pair of layups from
Lukas Isaly (Clarington, Ohio/River) and
Sahmi Willoughby (Groveport, Ohio/Reynoldsburg).
Midway through the first half the game was tied at 17 points apiece. Marietta opened up a 9-0 run to take a 26-17 edge at the 6:44 minute mark of the half. The run was started by a layup from
Tim Kreeger (Delphos, Ohio/Delphos St. Johns), highlighted by a three from Copper Parrott and capped by a pair of foul shots from Isaly.
The Pioneers were able to maintain their advantage for the remainder of the first half and entered the intermission ahead, 40-32. The late offense was a well-rounded attack as Isaly, Kreeger, Willoughby and
Kyle Matoszkia (Johnstown, Ohio/Johnstown) all had buckets to close out the half.
Muskingum came out of the half and knocked down three straight three pointers to take a 41-40 edge, which forced a Marietta timeout at the 18:46 minute mark of the second half.
Out of the timeout Muskingum led 44-43 with just under 18 minutes to play in the game, but the Pioneers answered with an 8-2 run that gave Marietta a 51-46 edge. The run was started by a jumper from Isaly and capped by a layup from Willoughby.
The teams battled for a majority of the second half and the game remained close, 77-72, with just over four minutes to play. A quick 6-1 burst put Marietta on top 83-74 behind three consecutive buckets from Kreeger.
That was the cushion the Pioneers needed and Isaly helped ice the game with six made foul shots in the final two minutes of play to give Marietta a 95-81 win.
The Pioneers were led by Isaly as he tied a career high in points with 22, set a career high in assists with six and pulled down five rebounds. Kreeger tallied 21 points, on 8-of-11 shooting from the field and grabbed a team leading seven rebounds.
Jason Ellis (Marion, Ohio/Marion Harding), Parrott, Martin and Willoughby all pitched in to score 10 points apiece.
Marietta will return to the hardwood Friday (Feb. 12) when they travel to take on Wilmington College, 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.
