MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team opened the 39th annual Jim Meagle Holiday Classic, sponsored by BSN Sports, with a matchup with #25th ranked Washington and Jefferson College.  Despite falling behind early, the Pioneers were able to come back to temporarily take the lead, but in the end, could not withstand the offensive prowess of the Presidents and fell 81-65.  With the loss the Pioneers fall to 1-4 overall and the win keeps the Presidents undefeated at 4-0 overall.  

W&J jumped out to 13-0 lead to start the game, sparked by eight points from Raegan Kadlecik.  The Pioneers finally got on the board with a driving layup from Kelsey Harlan (Sardis, Ohio/River) and, after a three-pointer from Sophie Nelson (Parkersburg, W.Va./Ritchie County), cut the lead to 13-7.  The Presidents got big buckets from Riley DeRubbo and Marina Grado to extend the lead, but Marietta battled back with an 8-0 run, fueled by a trio of buckets from Harlan.  The run got them to within four points and Marietta only trailed 20-16 to close out the first quarter. 

W&J scored a pair of baskets to begin the second period, but Marietta again went on a run.  TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson) and Sarah Podkul (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area) both scored to inch the Pioneers back and Abby Garner's (Macedonia, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) trey at the 6:31 mark deadlocked the score at 25-all.  Less than a minute later, Harlan put Marietta temporarily in the lead with a jumper, but W&J turned the tables with a pair of Stellanie Loutsion baskets and retook the lead, 29-28.  Both teams traded the next several possessions but Harlan got the final basket in the final seconds and the Pioneers trailed 40-38 heading into halftime.
 
The margin remained slim for the first few minutes of the second half, but Marietta went on a costly five-minute scoring drought.  During that span, the Presidents added seven points to the margin.  The Pioneers finished the quarter strong with a Podkul trey and a layup from Carpenter and entered the final frame trailing, 56-50.
 
The fourth quarter began with a back-breaking 8-0 run by the Presidents and Marietta could not find a find a way back in the contest.  Carpenter's jumper at the 4:34 mark put the deficit at eight points, but that would be as close as they could get.  W&J would cruise to an 81-65 victory.  

Marietta was led by Harlan as she notched 21 points and distributed six assists.  Carpenter added 12 points and led the Pioneers with six rebounds.  
 
Loutsion led the Presidents with 26 points and added six rebounds.
 
In earlier action, #17 ranked Carnegie Mellon topped #7 ranked SUNY Cortland, 54-50.

Marietta will return to the Ban Johnson Arena Saturday (Nov. 22) for day two of the Jim Meagle Classic as they host Carnegie Mellon in the final contest of the day.  Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.  SUNY Cortland and W&J will begin the day at 1 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.