MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team began the 2025-26 season on Saturday (Nov. 8) evening with an impressive 82-67 victory over Bethany College at the Ban Johnson Arena.   With the win, the Pioneers begin the season at 1-0.  The defeat put the Lions record at 0-1.  

"Nice win, but we have a lot of things to clean up," said Andersen.  "We did a good job of running through the offense and getting good looks. We've instituted a new defense this year and we're going to pressure as long as we can.  Tonight, we were able to stay on them and pressure them into a lot turnovers.  If we can keep that up, we'll be in a good place this year."

Both teams sputtered out of the gates as the first minute of action was full of turnovers and missed shots, but the Bison got on the board first as Lindsay Best rebounded a missed Keadlee Potter shot and followed with a layup.  The Pioneer answered as Abby Garner (Macedonia, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) made a steal and found Amelia Uhrig (Chillicothe, Ohio/Unioto) open on the perimeter and the sophomore nailed a three-pointer to put Marietta in the lead.  Kendall Sury (Waterford, Ohio/Waterford) came off the bench for the Pioneer and scored her first college points off a driving layup to extend the lead to three.  Marietta again scored points off of the Bison turnovers and TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson) scored a layup off of a steal by Uhrig.  Sophie Nelson's (Parkersburg, W.Va./Ritchie County) three at the 1:04 mark put the Pioneer advantage at 11 points.  Although Bethany closed out with the final four points of the period, Marietta still led 22-15 going into the second quarter.
 
The Pioneers began the second quarter on a 6-0 run and extended the lead to 13 as Kelsey Harlan (Sardis, Ohio/River) and Sury hit baskets and Ava Heller (Thornville, Ohio/Sheridan) scored her first two point with a layup.  Bethany answered with a 6-0 over the next 2:30 to slow the pace a bit. Marietta got layups from Heller, Sury, and Sarah Podkul (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area) in the final two minutes to keep the lead at double digits and the Pioneers went into intermission leading 44-31.
 
Marietta came out aggressive in the third period, pressing on defense and slashing the paint on offense.  Carpenter scored on a layup and Harlan hit a mid-range jumper to give the Pioneers their biggest advantage of 18 points.  The Bison were able to get back into the contest as Lindsey Garrison and Lindsey Best both scored a pair of baskets apiece, cutting the lead to ten.  The Pioneers did just enough to keep the lead at double digit for the remainder of the period.  Ella McMillen's (Shreve, Ohio/West Holmes) turnaround jumper and a pair of free throws from Sury closed out the period and the Pioneers ended the third leading 63-50.  

Bethany went on an 8-3 run to open the final period and chipped the lead to nine points, but Emma Rasmussen (Wadsworth, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) answered with a trey to slow the Bison.  Later in the period, Harlan scored on a pair of shot to give Marietta a 15-point advantage with less than six minutes remaining.  In the end, differential was too big to overcome and the pioneers cruised to an 82-67 victory.
 
The Pioneers were led by Harlan with 23 points, who also contributed three rebounds, four assists, and three steals.  Sury and Heller scored 13 and points respectively in their Pioneer debuts.  Garner lead the way with six rebounds.  Uhrig added four points and led the team with six steals.   
 
Potter led the Bison with 19 points and seven rebounds.  Best added 15 points and Garrison scored 11.   
 
Marietta will return to the court this Tuesday (Nov. 11) evening as they will travel to John Carroll University for a non-conference matchup, with tip off scheduled for 7 p.m.

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.