BETHANY, W.Va. — The Marietta College women's basketball team got their season off to a great start, in the head coaching debut of
Jenna Andersen, as they overpowered Bethany College, 78-47, Saturday (Nov. 9) afternoon. The Pioneers move to 1-0 on the season and the Bison slip to 0-1 overall.
"I am really proud of us for coming away with a win in game one," said Andersen. "There is a lot for us to still improve on, but it is always great to start the year in the win column! I am proud of our team for the toughness they showed today and how they competed."
Bethany put the first points on the board as Addy Blazer stole a pass and scored on a layup on the other end of the floor, but
Paige Tolson (Guysville, Ohio/Federal Hocking) answered with a jumper to tie up contest. Later in the quarter, the Pioneers rattled off 12 straight points with help of layups from
Ella McMillen (Shreve, Ohio/West Holmes), Ella Rusmussen,
Sophia Murray (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River), and
Abby Garner (Macedonia, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit), pushing the lead to 16-6. The Pioneers went 10 of 15 from the free throw line in the quarter, taking a 23-8 lead into the second period.
The second period began with a bucket from
Adi Hill (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) as the Pioneers kept up the pressure and extended the lead. Tolson had a big stretch of minutes, scoring eight points in the quarter and
Hannah Kroft's (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) layup with 1:31 remaining in the half pushed the lead to 33, the biggest of the half. Marietta took a 47-16 lead into halftime.
The Bison tried to get back into the contest as they outscored the Pioneers 20-15 in the third quarter. Early baskets from Kaedlee Potter and Lindsay Garrison bookended a trey from
Ally Grake (Morrow, Ohio/Little Miami). Kroft hit from inside the paint to extend the lead to 34 at the 5:54 mark of the quarter, but the Bison continued to chip away at the deficit. Wheeler scored on a layup to cut the lead to 56-35, but the Pioneers slowed Bethany's progress. Tolson's layup in the closing seconds put Marietta on top, 62-36, entering the fourth quarter.
Tolson poured in the first five points of the fourth quarter and Bethany could not overcome the deficit. The game was stopped at the 3:35 mark as Amaria Jones was injured diving for a loose basketball on the floor. After a lengthy stoppage of play, the game was called and Marietta went on to post the 78-47 victory.
Tolson led the Pioneers with 18 points and collected three rebounds and two steals. Kroft added nine points and six rebounds, while Hill and Garner finished with eight points apiece. Garner also led the Pioneers with seven rebounds.
Lindsay Garrison led the Bison with 14 points.
Marietta will make their home debut on Wednesday (Nov. 13) when they arrive at the Ban Johnson Arena to battle Mount St. Joseph, scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollegeand @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.
