VIENNA, W.Va – The Marietta College women's basketball team experienced a temporary change of scenery on Friday (Nov 22) as they had to move the first day of the annual Jim Meagle Holiday Classic sponsored by BSN Sports. Due to the fact that the Marietta College volleyball team was hosting their first ever NCAA Regional at the Ban Johnson Arena, the Pioneers had to play at the In Step Athletic Center in nearby Vienna, West Virginia. Despite the new location, the Pioneers were able to put together a strong second half to defeat Calvin University, 57-44. With the win the Pioneers improve to 3-1 overall and the loss drops the Knights to 2-4 overall.
"Our emphasis tonight as a program was toughness and discipline," said Marietta Head Coach
Jenna Andersen. "I think the way our team played the second half showed just that. I am so proud of how they came together and found a way to beat a very talented and much bigger team than us. What a great team win!
Marietta jumped out to 7-0 lead, sparked by a layup from
Paige Tolson (Guysville, Ohio/Federal Hocking) and pair of jumpers from
Adi Hill (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta). Calvin battled back and took the lead with an 12-0 run, fueled by a trio of buckets from Ana Fernandez. The Knights kept the advantage all the way to the closing seconds, but
Sophia Murray (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River) nailed a three-pointer and both teams were tied at 14 to close out the first quarter.
Both teams opened the second period a bit cold, but Tolson broke the tie with a jumper to take a 16-14 lead at the 8:32 mark. Neither team could get much offense going for the remainder of the half, but Lydia Sail's jumper with less than five minute left gave the Knights a one-point advantage. Marietta answered with a layup from
Emma Rasmussen (Wadsworth, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) and, after
Ella McMillen (Shreve, Ohio/West Holmes) hit one of two free throws, led 20-18. Calvin got one final basket in the final minute and the score was deadlocked at 20-20 heading into halftime.
After some traded baskets to begin the third quarter, Marietta got a three-pointer from Hill and a layup from
TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson) to take a 30-26 advantage. The Knight fought back to tie it at 32, but the Pioneers got another trey from McMillen and a layup from Hill in the final seconds and entered the final frame ahead, 40-34.
The Knights opened the fourth quarter with a jumper from Sail, but Marietta started to extend the lead.
Ally Grake (Morrow, Ohio/Little Miami) and Hill hit consecutive threes to give the Pioneer their biggest lead at the time, 10 points. Calvin tried to come back as they went on a 6-0 run, but that would be as close as they could get. Marietta closed out with the final nine points and won, 57-44.
Marietta was led by Hill as she notched 20 points, going a perfect 4 of 4 from three-point range. Tolson added 13 points. Grake scored six points, collected six rebounds, and dished out five assists.
Hannah Kroft (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) led the team with seven rebounds.
Fernandez led the Knights with 12 points and seven rebounds.
In earlier action, Mount Union defeated Kenyon College, 73-52.
Marietta will return to the Ban Johnson Arena Saturday (Nov. 23) for day two of the Jim Meagle Classic as they host Kenyon in the final contest of the day. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Mount Union and Kenyon will begin the day at 12:30 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.
