MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College had one final game before the Christmas break as they welcomed in Otterbein University to the Ban Johnson Arena. The opponents were not in a festive mood though as they handed the Pioneers a 64-44 defeat on Wednesday (Dec. 17) evening. The loss drops Marietta to 4-7 overall and 0-3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Otterbein improves to 7-2 overall and 3-0 in the OAC.
 
The Pioneers got early buckets from TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson) and Kendall Sury (Waterford, Ohio/Waterford) to keep the action close in the first period, but after Kyla Irby's three pointer at the 6:46 mark, the Cardinals took a lead that would not  relinquish for the rest of the game. After Ava Heller (Thornville, Ohio/Sheridan) made good on a pair of free throws to cut the lead to one point, Otterbein closed out the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 16-9 lead going into the second period.
 
Otterbein got their first two shots to fall in the second period to extend the lead and Marietta had trouble keeping the tally close. Both teams went on a three-minute scoring drought which kept the difference respectable. The Pioneers even got a tip in from Abby Garner (Macedonia, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) to stop the drought. Despite Harlan's three-pointer in the final minute, the Cardinals took a 31-18 lead into halftime.
 
Marietta scored the first four points of the third quarter with a layups from Emma Rasmussen (Wadsworth, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) and Harlan. Rasmussen then hit another pair of shots, including a three-pointer, to keep the lead at single digits. However, a 8-4 run from Otterbein extended the Cardinal lead back into double digits and Marietta trailed 43-31 heading into the final period.
 
Otterbein led the fourth quarter with a 9-2 run and effectively put the contest away with six minutes remaining. The Cardinals would cruise to a 64-44 OAC victory. 
 
Harlan led all Pioneers with 11 points on the strength of shooting 5-of-10 from the field.  Rasmussen finished with seven points. Carpenter led with seven rebounds to go with her four points.  
 
Cameron Sparks registered a double-double, leading the Cardinals with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Irby nailed a trio of three pointers on her way to scoring 15 points.
 
Marietta has one more contest before they flip the calendar page to 2026. They will travel to Wittenberg University on Tuesday (Dec. 30) to finish off the non-conference portion of their schedule. The game is scheduled for a 11:30 a.m. tip-off.
 
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