MARIETTA, Ohio. – The Marietta College women's basketball team jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter and never looked back as they collected a 79-42 win over Penn State-Behrend on Wednesday (Nov. 15) evening at the Ban Johnson Arena.  With the win the Pioneers improve to 3-0 overall, and with the loss the Lion fall to 0-3 overall.  

"We had a great start on the defensive end tonight," said Head Coach Kole Vivian. "Penn State Behrend was a little shorthanded, and we made their scoring opportunities difficult. And our team set up our posts for quality looks inside all night."  

The Pioneers began the contest on a 14-0 run as they hit their first six shots from the field. Makenzie Wilson (Wapakoneta, Ohio/Wapakoneta) scored twice from the paint and Hannah Schill (Rootstown, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) hit from beyond the arc during the run.  Hannah Kroft (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) made an immediate impact scoring a pair of layups to push the lead to 16-2.  Kelly Levering (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) scored the final five points of the period, converting on a driving layup and a three-pointer and the Pioneers ended the first quarter with 16-point lead.
 
Paige Tolson (Guysville, Ohio/Federal Hocking) brought the first points of the second quarter as she knifed through the Lion defense and delivered a layup.  She repeated that play two possessions later and gave the Pioneers a 28-10 lead.  Olivia Gribble's (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) three-pointer at the 4:32 mark pushed the lead to 20, the biggest of the evening at that point.  Later in the period, Kroft scored a couple more layups, one after an offensive rebound, the other set up by a great assist from Sophia Murray (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River).  Madison Cecil (Centerburg, Ohio/Highland) closed the first half scoring with yet another lay-in and the Pioneers advantage grew to 41-19 going into intermission.
 
Both teams improved their shooting going into the third period, but the Lions could not chip away at the Marietta advantage.  Rachel Majewski hit from three-point range for Penn State Behrend early in the stanza but Gribble answered with one of her own for the Pioneers.  Rachel Kaulis  hit a jumper for the Lions and was immediately answered with a layup from Kroft. Gribble hit from the corner in the final seconds and the Pioneers led 63-34 entering into the final frame.   

The Pioneers began the fourth period on a 9-0 run, causing both teams to empty their benches.  Marietta would go on to claim the 79-42 non-conference victory.  

The Pioneers were led by Levering, she had a team high 13 points, and pulled down six rebounds.  Kroft and Wilson tied with 12 points.  Jenna Smith (Garrettsville, Ohio/Garfield) led the Pioneers with nine rebounds.  Tolson dished out six assists.   

Marietta will return to the court Saturday (Nov. 18) when they travel to Ohio Wesleyan University, with tip off scheduled for 2 p.m.

Fans can follow all 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.