MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College cruised to a 100-86 victory over La Roche University Friday (Nov. 14) evening in the first round of the 54th annual Marietta Shrine Tournament. The Pioneers improve to 3-0 on the season and will play California Lutheran in the championship game on Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
 
La Roche falls to 0-2 on the season and will play Manchester in the consolation game on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. California Lutheran defeated Manchester in the first game on Friday by the score of 107-93.
 
Jai Guerra-Howard (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain) converted an old-fashioned three-point play off the opening tip and the Pioneers never trailed in the game. La Roche hung close to Marietta through the first seven minutes of the game. Marietta went on a 15-0 run building a 20-point lead, 35-15, with 8:08 left in the first half.
 
The lead grew to as many as 26 points, 44-18. Marietta took a 55-40 advantage into halftime. The Redhawks got no closer than 12 points in the second half.
 
Guerra-Howard led four Pioneers in double figures with 27 points. He added five rebounds and four assists. Elijah Harden (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) nailed five three-pointers and finished with 24 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Jake Singleton (Senecaville, Ohio/Meadowbrook) added 17 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Mason Wisniewski (Farmington Hills, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Marys) chipped in with 15 points and six boards.
 
Logan Golle had 25 points to lead La Roche. Cooper Rankin scored 15 points, while Bryce Epps scored 13 points and had five rebounds. Major Rainey finished with 12 points and a team-best six rebounds.
 
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 X and Instagram.