NEW CONCORD, Ohio — Four Pioneers scored in double figures as the Marietta College men's basketball team opened Ohio Athletic Conference play with a key 84-74 win at Muskingum University. Marietta improves to 6-0 overall and 1-0 in the OAC, while the Muskies fall to 2-4 on the season and 0-1 in the OAC.
Muskingum scored the first four points of the game and led by as many as eight points, 19-11, in the opening period. A layup from freshman Dillon Young with 10:04 left in the half capped a 12-4 run and tied the game at 23-23.
A second 12-4 by Marietta put the Pioneers in front 37-29 with 2:44 left in the first half. Three straight jumpers from sophomore Keith Richardson fueled the second run. Marietta led by seven, 39-32, at the half.
The Fighting Muskies lived up to their nickname as Muskingum opened the second half with a 10-2 run to retake the lead, 42-41, at the 17:44 mark. Once again the Pioneers responded. A layup from junior Luis Garcia at 14:29 put Marietta in front, 56-49. The Pioneers never trailed again.
Muskingum managed to get within two points only to see the Pioneers open up its biggest lead of the game, 74-64, on a layup from senior Garrett Stephenson with 3:57 left on the clock.
Garcia led Marietta with 19 points. Richardson equaled his career-high with 17 points. Stephenson and junior Eddy Grenert both posted double-doubles. Stephenson scored 11 points and grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds, while Grenert chipped in with 15 points and 13 boards.
Logan Kimble led the Muskies with 17 points before fouling out of the game. Christian Keller added 16 points and a team-best seven rebounds. Joshua Glass finished with 14 points.
For the game, Marietta was 27-of-70 (38.6%) from the floor, 5-of-24 (20.8%) from three-point range and 25-of-32 (78.1%) at the free throw line. Muskingum shot 42.4% (25-of-59) from the floor, 31.8% (7-of-22) behind the arc and 68.0% (17-of-25) at the line.
Marietta dominated the glass outrebounding the Muskies 53-31. The Pioneers committed 13 turnovers, while Muskingum had 12.
The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday (Dec. 6) at Wilmington College. Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m.