ADA, Ohio — Ohio Northern snapped No. 16 Marietta College's nine-game winning streak with a 58-54 victory Saturday (Jan. 22) afternoon in Ohio Athletic Conference women's basketball. The Pioneers fall to 15-2 overall and 8-2 in the OAC. Ohio Northern improves to 11-4 on the season and 5-3 in conference games.

Marietta grabbed the early lead but went cold from the floor midway through the first quarter. The Polar Bears took advantage of Marietta's shooting woes and went on an 11-0 run that carried into the second quarter and turned a six-point deficit into a five-point lead, 17-12, with 8:37 left in the first half.

Baskets from Makenzie Wilson and Erin Hahn made it a one-point game. The Polar Bears pushed the lead back to six points and then a three-pointer in the final seconds of the second quarter gave ONU a 29-22 lead at halftime.

An old fashioned three-point play from Kristen Luersman extended the ONU lead to 13 points, 37-24, two minutes into the third quarter.

Marietta slowly chipped away at the lead and an 8-0 run to finish the period got the Pioneers within two, 40-38, heading into the fourth quarter.

The Pioneers' full-court press gave Ohio Northern fits all afternoon. The Polar Bears turned the ball over 11 times in the second half.

Marietta tied the game four times but ONU answered with a basket each time to keep the Pioneers from taking the lead. Wilson converted one of two free throws to finally give the Pioneers the lead, 49-48, with 2:53 remaining.

The teams traded buckets until Jaidyn Hale nailed a three-pointer for the Polar Bears and then Marietta failed to score on its possession. ONU was fouled and Brynn Serbin hit one of two free throws for a three-point lead, 54-51, with 42 seconds left on the clock.

After trading turnovers, Marietta missed a three-pointer and was forced to foul. Serbin hit two free throws making it a seven-point game, 58-51, with only eight seconds remaining.

Gribble hit a three-pointer to get Marietta within four, 58-54, but ONU managed to run out the clock for the win.

Devin Hefner led the Pioneers with 14 points. She was 6-for-6 from the free throw line and pulled down seven rebounds. Hahn finished with nine points and 10 boards. Gribble chipped in with eight points, while Hannah Schill added seven.

Serbin led the Polar Bears with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kasey Knippen had 11 points.

Marietta returns home to host Otterbein University on Wednesday (Jan. 26). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in Ban Johnson Arena.