ALLIANCE, Ohio — No. 3 seeded Mount Union defeated No. 6 seeded Marietta College by the score of 74-57 Tuesday (Feb. 24) evening in the Ohio Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinals. The Pioneers end their season with a 12-14 overall record. Mount Union advances to the semifinals with a record of 18-8.

"This was not the ending we wanted for our season, but I am forever proud of this group and how they stuck together through all of the ups and downs," Marietta head coach Jenna Andersen said. "We have a young, hungry core coming back next year. The work starts now to keep getting better."

Seniors Sophie Nelson (Parkersburg, W.Va./Ritchie County) and Morgan Dixon (Fairfield Township, Ohio/Badin) finished their careers in the Navy Blue and White. "I am so proud of our two seniors," Andersen said. "They have given so much to this program in their time with us both on and off the court. I am sad to lose them on the court, but I cannot wait to watch them excel in life."

After a close first quarter, Mount Union outscored the Pioneers 48-30 in the second and third periods to take control of the game. Marietta held the Purple Riders to just nine points in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was just too much to overcome.

Mount Union jumped out to an early 9-1 lead, but the Pioneers fought back and trailed by one, 17-16, at the end of the first period. Marietta had several possessions with a chance to take the lead but couldn't get the go-ahead bucket. After the Pioneers tied the game, 29-29, with three minutes left in the second period, Mount Union went on a 13-3 run and took a 42-34 lead into halftime.

The Purple Raiders took advantage of Marietta's cold shooting and scored the first four baskets of the third quarter pushing the lead to 16 points, 50-34, less than three minutes into the second half. Mount Union led by as many as 22 points and held a 19-point lead going into the final period.

Both teams struggled to score points in the final period. Marietta outscored the Raiders 11-9 falling short of a comeback.

Kelsey Harlan (Sardis, Ohio/River) led the Pioneers with 12 points. Amelia Uhrig (Chillicothe, Ohio/Unioto) finished with 10 points and six rebounds. TJ Carpenter (Jackson, Ohio/Jackson) added nine points and four boards.

Mckayla Dunkle led four Purple Raiders in double figures with 15 points. Elizabeth Mason notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Reese Triplett and Lily Scott also chipped in with 12 points apiece.

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.