MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College women's basketball led for much of their matchup with Muskingum University on Wednesday (Feb. 11) evening, but the Fighting Muskies were able to tie it up on the final possession to force overtime.  The Pioneers finally gave up the lead but got a clutch bucket in the closing seconds to force a second overtime, only to fall behind.  Marietta could not make up the difference and Muskingum was able to eventually claim a 97-92 double overtime victory.  With the loss, Marietta drops to 11-12 overall and 6-8 in the OAC. Muskingum improves to 11-11 on the season and is also 4-9 in league play. 
 
"We just weren't locked in defensively tonight," said Marietta Head Coach Jenna Andersen.  "We gave up too many big threes and we did not get to the rim near enough.  We just could not execute when it mattered. Credit to Muskingum as they hit shots and caused turnovers when they needed."

The Muskies got on the board as Mckinzie Linscott hit from the perimeter on the first possession of the matchup, but Marietta controlled next several minutes.  TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson) scored Marietta's first points with a pull up jumper, beginning a Pioneer 10-3 run that also included three pointers from Carpenter and Emma Rasmussen (Wadsworth, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban).  Abby Garner (Macedonia, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) came off the bench to hit a pair of tough layups and Rasmussen added a layup and another bomb from three point range to extend the lead to 11.  Kelsey Harlan (Sardis, Ohio/River) scored a layup and bonus free throw in the final minute but the Fightin' Muskies answered as Linscott scored from the paint.  Marietta led 25-15 going into the second period.
 
The Pioneers began period two with a nearly three-minute scoring drought, but luckily for them, Muskingum did not take advantage.  Claudia Harrington's turnaround jumper was the only basket they could manage for the same duration.  The Muskies made a small run in the middle of the period as Julia Jaenke and Makenna Baney hit shots to cut the lead to seven.  Marietta answered as Harlan scored a bucket and then hit a pair of free throws to put the lead at 13 at the 4:17 mark.  That would be the final points for Marietta for the rest of the half, but again, Muskingum could only manage four points in the closing minutes and the Pioneers took a 37-28 lead into the intermission.
 
Muskingum came out a bit more aggressive in the third as they began with an 8-2 run.  In a quarter were Marietta shot 3-for-13 from the field, the Pioneers relied on their defense to stay on top.  Carpenter added some offense with a pair of tough shot and the Pioneers led by seven with less than four minute remaining in the period.  Muskingum found some success in the paint as Jaenke and Tori Jones slashed the paint for layups, but Rasmussen hit another big trey to give Marietta a bit more breathing room.  On the final play, Muskingum navigated the final seven seconds flawlessly, getting the ball to Linscott for an open three-pointer and the lead was cu to 49-47 moving into the fourth quarter.
 
The fourth quarter began with a game-tying from Baney to lock the score at 49.  Both teams traded possessions on the way to three more ties.  Harlan's three pointer at the 6:38 mark began a Pioneer 11-0 run, which also consisted of three pointers from Rasmussen and Ava Heller (Thornville, Ohio/Sheridan).  Again, the Muskies did not give up and answered with a 13-3 run to cut the lead to two with a minute remaining.  In the final seconds, Garner hit a clutch pair of free throw and Marietta led by three with :07 left.  Once again, the Muskies were able to get the ball to Linscott on the inbound and, yet again, she hit a huge three pointer to send the game into overtime tied at 72.
 
Marietta opened the scoring in the overtime period as Harlan converted 1-of-2 free throws, but Muskingum took their first lead since early in the first period as Janke scored on a driving layup.  Late in the period, after the Muskies extended the lead to four, Harlan converted a pair of free throws and then tied the contest with a driving layup with :22 second remaining.  Baney gave Muskingum the lead with a tough shot, but Carpenter scored on the last possession to force a second overtime, with both teams tied at 83.
 
Marietta started the second overtime period missing their first four shots, and Muskingum took advantage.  The Muskies scored the first eight points and Marietta could not make up the difference although they tried to chip away.  Harlan got them as close as three with a layup but was forced to foul to stop the clock and time ran out.  Muskingum claimed the OAC double-overtime victory, 97-92.
 
Harlan finished with a career-high 31 points and also collected five assists to lead the Pioneers.  Rasmussen finished with 15 points and led with four steals.  Carpenter finished with 13 points.  Rasmussen scored six points.

Linscott led the Muskies with 23 points, 17 rebounds, eight blocks and five steals. Jaenke finished with 20 points.

The Pioneers will host Heidelberg University this Saturday (Feb. 14) as the college will be celebrating Winter Weekend.  The women's matchup with the Student Princes is scheduled for a 1 p.m. tipoff, with the men following at 3 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/MariettaCollegeand @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram