MARIETTA, Ohio — Senior All-American A.J. Edwards dominated the paint scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds as No. 17-ranked Marietta College opened the season with a convincing 101-75 win over La Roche College Tuesday (Nov. 15) evening in Ban Johnson Arena.

Edwards poured in 20 first half points sinking 8-of-11 shot attempts from the floor. Double and triple teamed in the post, Edwards added four points and six rebounds in the second half to go along with a pair of blocked shots.

Fellow post player Jack Thome added 14 points off the bench as the Pioneers outscored La Roche 48-26 in the paint.

Juniors Keith Richardson and Dillon Young chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Each had four assists and nailed a pair of three-pointers. Young grabbed eight rebounds, while Richardson hauled in four as Marietta outrebounded La Roche, 47-33.

Ray Quan Phifer led the Redhawks with 15 points. Arnes Bajgora and Dion Etheridge scored 12 points apiece.

The Pioneers led by as many as 10 points in the first half and took a 47-42 advantage into halftime. Marietta never trailed in the second half and pushed the lead 29 points, 90-61, on a jumper from freshman Caleb Hoyng with 5:31 left in the game.

For the game, Marietta shot 55.4% (36-of-65) from the floor, 52.4% (11-of-21) from three-point range and 64.3% (18-of-28) at the free throw line. La Roche was 26-of-71 (36.6%) from the floor, 7-of-21 (33.3%) behind the arc and 16-of-20 (80.0%) at the line.

Marietta travels to Owings Mills, Maryland this weekend for the Hoopsville National Invitational Classic hosted by Stevenson University. The Pioneers open against Albright College on Friday (Nov. 18) at 4 p.m.