MARIETTA, Ohio – the Marietta College women's basketball team earned a dominating 91-67 win over Muskingum University Saturday (Feb. 6) evening inside Ban Johnson Arena. With the win the Pioneers improve to 4-2 overall and 4-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, and with the loss the Fighting Muskies fall to 1-3 overall and 1-3 in OAC action.
"I am so happy we were able to get a win and have everyone on the team contribute in some way. We were moving the ball really well on offense and forced a ton of turnovers in the half court defense," said Head Coach
Kole Vivian. "We talk about our offense and defense being so connected, and that was the case tonight."
The game opened as the teams swapped buckets for the opening five minutes of the game, and Marietta led 13-9. The Pioneers offense ran through the post players with
Luce Duritza (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) and
Erin Hahn (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) scoring 11 of the 13 points to open the game. The teams battled for the remainder of the quarter, and
Olivia Gribble (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) hit a three with under a minute to play, to send the Pioneers into the second quarter with a 28-20 edge.
The game remained close midway through the second quarter as Marietta led, 39-28 at the 4:52 minute mark. The Pioneers early second quarter offense was sparked by the three ball, as Gribble knocked down a pair and
Madison Cecil (Centerburg, Ohio/Highland) hit one to force a Muskingum timeout. Over the final minutes of the second quarter, Marietta outscored the Fighting Muskies 13-5, to lead 52-33 at the intermission. The late second quarter offense was led by
Jill Congrove (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm) and Mackenzie Wilson, as they combined for 10 of the 13 points.
The Pioneers outscored Muskingum, 10-4 through the opening two minutes of third quarter play. The early offense was sparked by a pair of three pointers from Gribble. Marietta maintained a comfortable lead for the remainder of the third quarter, and entered the final frame ahead, 77-53.
Mariah Goodard (Orrville, Ohio/Orrville) and Cecil helped carry the late third quarter offense as they had five and four points respectively.
The Pioneers played a solid fourth quarter, and never let the Fighting Muskies back into the game.
Katie McIlroy (Circleville, Ohio/Circleville),
Jordyn Kiser (Dover, Ohio/Dover), and
Ellen Vichill (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/St. Joseph Academy) all hit foul shots with under a minute to play in the game, and Marietta won, 91-67.
Marietta was led by Gribble, she led all scorers with 17 points, on 5-7 shooting from behind the arc. Hahn pitched in with 13 points, and pulled down a team leading eight rebounds. Wilson and Cecil each provided a spark off the bench, as they both tallied eight points in the game. Wilson set a career high in rebounds with seven.
Marietta will return to the hardwood Friday (Feb. 12) when they travel to take host 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
