ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Marietta College women's basketball team earned a convincing 81-47 victory over Penn State Behrend in the consolation game of the Chuck Resler Tournament Saturday (Nov. 14) afternoon on the campus of the University of Rochester. The Pioneers improve to 2-1 on the season. The Lions drop to 0-4.
"I'm really proud of how our team responded after yesterday's loss," said Marietta head coach
Jenna Andersen. "We showed resilience and a great mindset, especially on the defensive end, forcing 37 turnovers and creating opportunities for ourselves. Offensively, we made a strong commitment to attacking the paint, resulting in 52 points in the lane and a lot of high-percentage looks. It was a great bounce-back performance, and we'll continue to learn from yesterday while building on the positives from today."
Penn State Behrend scored the game's first points on a three-pointer by Jules Ott, but Marietta quickly settled in.
Kendall Sury (Waterford, Ohio/Waterford) scored six early points as the Pioneers grabbed a 9-4 advantage midway through the period. After the Lions tied the game at 9-9, Marietta responded with a decisive 18-6 run.
Abby Garner (Macedonia, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) started the burst with a layup off a Sury assist, while
Ella McMillen (Shreve, Ohio/West Holmes),
Aleigha Busse (Blue Rock, Ohio/Philo),
Callie Powell (St. Marys, W.Va./St. Marys), and
Amelia Uhrig (Chillicothe, Ohio/Unioto) all contributed baskets. Powell buried a three-pointer from the wing, and
Amelia Uhrig (Chillicothe, Ohio/Unioto) scored four points in the final minute to give Marietta a commanding 27-15 lead after one period.
The Pioneers opened the second period on a 5-0 run and stretched the lead to 32-15 when
Kelsey Harlan (Sardis, Ohio/River) converted a jumper with 8:32 remaining. Penn State Behrend briefly cut the deficit to 14 points, but Marietta's pressure defense took over.
Tess Trimble (Maineville, Ohio/Little Miami) recorded multiple steals during the quarter, helping fuel transition opportunities. Busse scored back-to-back layups off turnovers, Powell added a tip-in, and Sury continued attacking the basket. A late 13-3 Marietta run pushed the advantage past 20 points.
Emma Rasmussen (Wadsworth, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) converted a steal into a layup, Sury scored twice in transition, and Harlan assisted on another fast-break basket. The Pioneers forced 11 Lion turnovers in the quarter and took a 47-25 lead into halftime.
The Pioneers put the game out of reach in the third quarter, holding Penn State Behrend to just five points while forcing 11 more turnovers.
TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson) opened the scoring with a layup off a Harlan assist before another Carpenter basket pushed the lead to 51-25. Marietta's defense repeatedly disrupted the Lions' offense as Sury, Harlan, and the Pioneer guards generated steals that led directly to scoring chances. After Ott connected on a three-pointer for Penn State Behrend, Marietta answered with another extended run. Sury converted two free throws, Garner scored on a putback, and Busse added a transition layup.
Payten Bruns (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Darby),
Madison Lynn (Vincent, Ohio/Warren), and Carpenter also contributed as Marietta continued to pound the ball inside. The Pioneers carried a 61-30 advantage into the fourth quarter.
With a comfortable lead, Marietta's depth took center stage during the final quarter.
Maggie Baker (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) turned a steal into a traditional three-point play, extending the lead back to 29 points.
Peyton Hughes (Washington Court House, Ohio/Washington) scored three points,
Mallory Plesac (Galion, Ohio/Colonel Crawford) added a fast-break layup, and
Brooke Ritchie (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) knocked down a three-pointer from the corner. Plesac later drilled another three with one minute remaining to push the lead to 81-45. Marietta would go on to secure the 81-47 victory.
Sury paced the Pioneers with 16 points and was named to the All-Tournament team. Garner added eight points. Powell and Busse each scored seven points, and Uhrig chipped in six. Marietta's bench provided tremendous production, accounting for 48 points. Carpenter led the team with five rebounds. Harlan dished out a team-high four assists and recorded three steals. Trimble matched a game-high with five steals.
Marietta returns to the Ban Johnson Arena this Wednesday (Nov. 18) evening as they welcome in Wittenberg University for a non-conference battle. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.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.
