MARIETTA, Ohio — In a game that featured 10 lead changes and six ties, the Marietta College women's basketball team found themselves tied with Capital University with three minutes remaining on Saturday (Jan. 24) afternoon in the Ban Johnson Arena.  The Comets scored six unanswered points to close out the contest with a key conference win, 85-79.  The Pioneers dropped to 9-9 overall and 4-5 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.  Capital improved to 12-6 overall and 5-4 in the OAC.

Marietta started strong as they got a driving layup from TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson) and a three-pointer from Ava Heller (Thornville, Ohio/Sheridan) to jump out to an 8-1 advantage.  After the Comets fought back to trail only by two, Abby Garner (Macedonia, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) scored from the paint to slow the uprising. Late in the period, Kendall Sury (Waterford, Ohio/Waterford) got into the act and put up seven points to help give the Pioneers a six-point lead.   Samaree Perkins answered with a three-pointer and Kyah Ewing scored on the next possession to cut the lead to one. On the final possession of the quarter, Kelsey Harlan (Sardis, Ohio/River) turned the ball over and Ewing raced to the other end for the court for the go-ahead layup, giving Capital a 21-20 lead going into the second period.

Marietta opened the second period with a 10-0 run, fueled by seven points from Sury, to open a comfortable lead.  After Kendall Spreen finally got the Comets on the board in the second with a three-pointer, the Pioneers answered with layups from Harlan and Sury to put the lead at double digits.  Later in the period, Capital got back into the game with a 9-2 run, getting two big baskets from Perkins to cut the lead to six.  After a Comet missed shot, the Pioneers quickly ran the floor in the final seconds and got a layup from Sury as the buzzer sounded.  Marietta took a 49-39 lead into the intermission
 
Marietta got the first points of the third period as Emma Rasmussen (Wadsworth, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) hit from behind the arc, but the Pioneers were held scoreless for the next three and a half minutes,  During the span, Capital scored 10 straight points, five from Izzy Rodriguez, to cut the lead to three.  Later in the period, Spreen scored two consecutive three pointers give the Comets their first lead since the end of the first quarter.  With less the three minutes left in the period, Garner scored on driving layup and scored the bonus free throw to put Marietta back in the lead by two.  The Pioneer defense kicked in and caused two straight turnovers, both of which generated points for Marietta.  Capital again answered with a 7-0 run to close out the period, though, and took a 66-65 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

After both teams traded baskets to begin the fourth quarter, Marietta got a layup from Sarah Podkul (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area) and another jumper from Heller to lead by four at the 6:52 mark.  Capital answered with seven straight points, including Spreen's seventh three pointer of the game, to retake the lead.  Heller's three pointer with three minutes remaining tied the score at 79, but the Pioneers could make another shot, going 0-for-6 for the rest of the game.  Kya Jordan hit a pair of midrange jumpers on consecutive possessions and Capital would edge the Pioneers with an 85-79 victory.
 
Sury led the Pioneers with a career-high 27 points and also led the team with six steals.  Heller finished with 17 points and led with six rebounds. Harlan finished with 10 points.

Spreen led the Comets with 23 points, going 7-for-9 from three point range.   Perkins scored 20 points, dished out five assists, and led with eight rebounds

Marietta will return home this Wednesday (Jan. 28) as they will host the University of Mount Union.  The tip-off for the game is set for 7 p.m. 
 
Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.