SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Marietta College women's basketball team took control in the  second half lead and closed out the victory with some clutch fourth quarter free throw shooting to clinch a 60-52 victory over Wittenberg University Tuesday (Dec. 30) afternoon.  The Pioneers improved to 5-7 on the season while the Tigers fell to 8-3.  

"Great win for our team today," said Marietta head coach Jenna Andersen. "Before we headed in to break we talked a lot about or intensity and accountability as a team and individuals. Our four practices back were great practices, each person stepped up and the team as a whole benefited from it. Wittenberg is a great team, feels good to start the second half of the season with a win."
 
After both team traded a pair of free throws to begin the game, Marietta took the lead with a layup from Emma Rasmussen (Wadsworth, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) and, after a three-pointer from Sarah Podkul (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area), the Pioneers led 7-4 at the halfway mark of the quarter.  Wittenberg answered with a 7-0 run, getting four points from Karson Karlblom to take a four point lead of their own.   Marietta got a pair of layups from Kelsey Harlan (Sardis, Ohio/River) and a layup from TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson) to tie it back up.  The Tigers then hit a pair of free throws to close out the quarter and led 15-13 heading into the second.
 
After some traded baskets, Marietta came alive midway through the second quarter. Abby Garner (Macedonia, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) came off the bench to score a tough layup to cut lead to one and Sophie Nelson (Parkersburg, W.Va./Ritchie County) hit a pair of three-pointers to put Marietta back into the lead, 24-19.  Carpenter scored a tough bucket with under a minute and the Pioneers took 28-24 advantage into halftime.

After giving up an early layup by Karley Moore of the Tigers, the Pioneers scored six straight points, four by Kendall Sury (Waterford, Ohio/Waterford), to extend their lead.  Marietta kept up the pressure with baskets from Garner and Harlan and, after another three-pointer from Nelson, the Pioneers enjoyed a nine-point lead with less than five minutes remaining in the quarter. Despite going scoreless for three minutes, the Pioneers got layups from Carpenter and Rasmussen to close out the quarter and took a 45-36 lead into the fourth quarter

The fourth quarter got off to a quiet beginning but Wittenberg cut into the lead with a 5-0 run to cut the lead to six with 6:22 remaining.  The Tigers got the lead down to four but were forced to foul to stop the clock.  The Pioneers responded with going 11-for-16 from the line to keep the lead intact.  The Pioneers would go on to claim the 60-52 victory to close out the 2025 calendar year.

Carpenter led the Pioneers with 11 points. Sury chipped in 10 points and tied with Rasmussen for team lead with six rebounds.  Hanlan scored nine point and distributed four assists.
 
Karlblon led the Tigers with 15 points and five rebounds. Moore ended with 10 points.
 
The Pioneers will resume their conference schedule this Saturday (Jan. 3) as they will host Wilmington College.  The contest is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will follow the men's basketball matchup. 

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.