NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team had a 10-point lead with less than six minutes to play, but a furious comeback by Muskingum put the Muskies in the lead with seconds to play.  A late Pioneer steal and transition layup tied the game and Hannah Schill's (Rootstown, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) bonus free throw gave Marietta a dramatic 64-63 victory Wednesday (Jan 3) evening.  With the win the Pioneers improve to 9-3 overall and 4-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, and with the loss the Fighting Muskies fall to 6-6 overall and 1-4 in OAC action.  

"Credit Muskingum, they really played their tails off, especially the last five minutes or so to take the lead, but I am proud of how our group played till the end," said Head Coach Kole Vivian. "Hannah (Schill) always makes a big play when we really need it, and her layup and free throw came at the perfect time. We have a lot of work to do, but I am happy to be coming back home with a win."

After the two teams traded some early buckets to begin the game, Marietta would go on a run as Ally Grake (Morrow, Ohio/Little Miami) nailed her second three-pointer of the quarter and Olivia Gribble (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) would hit a jumper.  Later in the period, Paige Tolson (Guysville, Ohio/Federal Hocking) scored on a layup and followed with a three-pointer, giving the Pioneers a 16-6 advantage at the 3:01 mark.  The Muskies answered with a 9-0 run to close out the quarter, paced by five points from Tori Jones,  but the Pioneers held on to a 16-15 lead going into the second quarter.

Muskingum's Caitlyn DeMassimo got involved in the second quarter as she scored five quick points and her three-pointer at the 6:09 mark gave the Muskies a 26-22 advantage.  Courtney Hivick followed with a three of her own and Muskingum had it's biggest lead to date, seven points.  Kelly Levering (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) answered with a layup and Gribble hit from three-point range to inch the Pioneers back to just trail by three.  The Pioneers caught a break as Claudia Harrington turned the ball over with 15 seconds remaining in the half.  Gribble drilled a three-pointer on the next possession in the closing seconds and Marietta went on to lead 34-33 at the intermission.  

Neither team could break away during a very closely played third quarter.  DeMassimo and Harrington scored consecutive baskets to help Muskingum jump out to a four-point lead but Wilson and Gribble would answer for Marietta to tie it back up at 40.  The two teams would trade scores for the next two minutes, but the Pioneers found themselves up three points after a Sophia Murray (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River) layup with 1:09 remaining.  DeMassimo answered with a clutch three-pointer and both teams were deadlocked at 49 going into the final period.

The Pioneers began the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run, fueled by two treys from Grake, and appeared to be firmly in control after Schill scored on a fast break layup.  She then followed with a pair of free throws, giving Marietta a 61-51 lead with 5:37 remaining.  Muskingum answered with a furious 12-0 run to roar back into the lead.  The run was aided by Marietta missing their next six shots and turning the ball over three times.  Muskingum held on to the slim lead with seven seconds remaining, but Marietta cashed in on a critical moment.  Levering stole the ball from DeMassimo and passed to Schill as she was breaking for the basket.  Schill scored the layup and, after getting fouled by Tori Jones, converted the bonus free throw .  Muskingum still had a chance as three-tenths of a second remained on the clock, but their desperation three-pointer fell short and Marietta would survive to claim the 64-63 victory.

Grake led the Pioneers with 12 points and six rebounds.  Levering was close behind with 11 points and four rebounds.  Gribble finished with 10 points and dished out four assists.
 
DeMassimo led all scorers with 22 points, collecting six rebounds and blocking five shots.  Harrington finished with 11 points and led the team with nine rebounds.
 
Marietta will return to action Saturday (Jan 6) when they return home to battle Baldwin Wallace University, with tip off scheduled for 2 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 X and Instagram