NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team fell behind at a crucial point in the fourth quarter and could not overcome the deficit, falling to Muskingum University 73-72 on Wednesday (Jan. 21) evening.  With the loss the Pioneers fall to 9-8 overall and 4-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, and with the win Muskingum improves to 8-8 overall and 1-6 in OAC action.  
 
Muskingum jumped out to an early 5-0 lead but Marietta turned the tables with seven straight points, getting buckets from Kendall Sury (Waterford, Ohio/Waterford), Kelsey Harlan (Sardis, Ohio/River), and Emma Rasmussen (Wadsworth, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban).  After some back and forth action, the Fighting Muskies led by three at the 2:13 mark.  Marietta then kicked in with a 9-0 run, getting five points from Ava Heller (Thornville, Ohio/Sheridan) and four points from TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson), to close out the quarter.  The Pioneers took a 25-20 lead going into the second quarter.

Marietta begin the second period outscoring the Muskies 9-2, but was shut down for the next four minutes.  During that span, Muskingum put together an 11-0 run, fueled by four points from McKinzi Linscott, to cut the lead to a single point.  They then closed the half getting five points from Claudia Harrington, on the way to a 9-2 run, and Muskingum went on to lead 42-38 at the intermission.  

Sury got the Pioneers back into a tie by going 4-for-4 from the free throw line to start the third period, but Muskingum followed with just enough to keep a slight lead.  Tori Jones hit from three-point range with less than six minutes to put the score at 48-45.  The Pioneers were able to fight back, and after they got the score tied back up at 56, Harlan scored a layup and bonus free throw to take three-point lead with :39 seconds remaining.  Marietta would take a 60-56 advantage into the final period.

The Muskies were able to get back into the lead as Jones hit a three-pointer with 6:16 left in the final period, but Marietta tied it back up over the next few possessions.   Muskingum took the lead at a crucial point as Linscott hit a three pointer and, after a Pioneer missed shot, scored a layup to give them a five-point lead with :45 seconds left.  Sury hit four clutch free throws in the final seconds but Harlan had the ball stolen away in Marietta's final chance.   Muskingum would hold for a 73-32 victory.

Harlan finished with 20 points for the Pioneers and Heller scored 15 points.  Carpenter and Sury both finished with 13 points, with Carpenter leading the team with seven rebounds.  
 
Harrington registered a double-double as she scored 18 points and collected 10 rebounds.  Jones also contributed 18 points.
 
Marietta is scheduled to return to action this Saturday (Jan 24) when they return home to battle Capital University, with tip off scheduled for 3 p.m, following the men's matchup 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