MARIETTA, Ohio – The Marietta College women's basketball team was eliminated from the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament by the University of Mount Union. The Purple Raiders defeated the Pioneers 68-64, Tuesday (Feb. 22) evening in the quarterfinals.
"Give credit to Mount Union", said Marietta Head Coach Kole Vivian. "They really started out the game great with making perimeter jumpers and getting on the glass. We battled really hard in the fourth quarter, but couldn't make it up. I really wanted this game for our seniors. They have left a legacy for our program".
The Purple Raiders (10-13 overall) got off to a quick start in the first quarter. Mount's Madison Hensley buried a trey at the 7:14 to put the Raiders up five. Marietta's Olivia Gribble hit a three off of a Devin Hefner assist with 4:15 remaining to tie it up at 10. After the Raiders again inched the lead to five, Kate Liston buried a three to keep the margin low as the first half finished. Mount would go into the second quarter with a 22-18 lead, shooting a robust 58% from the field.
The Raiders would begin period number two on a 7-0 run. Gribble's midrange jumper at the 6:30 mark would temporarily stop the momentum. Makenzie Wilson scored on a driving layup, fresh off a Raider turnover to cut the lead to five with 5:01 remaining. The Pioneers were outrebounded throughout the second quarter, 16-8, and it made a difference. Marietta found themselves with a 13-point deficit at the half, shooting 32% from the field.
After a back and forth third quarter, the Pioneers would go on a tear in the fourth period. Erin Hahn would score eight points, all the while battling foul trouble. Marietta cut the lead to four when Hannah Schill cut through the lane for a layup at the 1:16 mark. Hefner went 1-of-2 from the line with under a minute but that would get the Pioneers as close as they would get.
The Pioneers were led by Hahn, as she had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Gribble and Schill both ended with eight points. Kelly Levering, Hefner, and Wilson all finished with six points.
Hensley led Mount Union with 14 points. Emma Cannon notched a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Sarah Meech added 12 points.
Marietta, 21-5 overall, now must wait and see if the Pioneers receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced on Monday.