MARIETTA, Ohio — Junior Trevor Halter (Malvern/Malvern) scored a game-high 20 points, while freshman Tyler Hammond (Cleveland/St. Ignatius) had 16 and junior Kevin Knab (Lakewood/Lakewood) add 12 to lead the Marietta College men's basketball team to a history-making 80-56 victory over host Waynesburg University Wednesday (Dec. 15) evening. [Box Score]

The win improved the Pioneers' record to 8-0 and set a new school record for best start in the program's 110-year history. The previous best start of 7-0 was set in 1908-09 and matched in 1974-75. The Yellow Jacket fell to 3-4 on the season.

Halter connected on 5-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, and added 7-of-8 from the charity stripe. Hammond, meanwhile, added three assists and four rebounds, while Knab had three boards. In addition, sophomores Jacob Owens (Mansfield/Mansfield) and Scott Kimmey (Olmsted Falls/Olmsted Falls) both contributed six points, and junior Conner Kilpatrick (Bowling Green/Bowling Green) pitched in with a game-best nine boards.

Kurt Bonnet paced Waynesburg with 12 points and Aaron Cromwell added 11 points in the loss.

Marietta took command of the game early by jumping out to a 15-5 lead midway through the first period. The Pioneers maintained a double-digit advantage for most of the first half and entered the locker room ahead 38-28.

Marietta kept the pressure on Waynesburg in the second half and built its lead up to as many as 30 points before cruising to the 80-56 victory.

For the game, the Pioneers, who entered with the second best field goal percentage in NCAA Division III, shot 45.8% from the floor compared to 34.4% shooting by the Yellow Jackets. Marietta also held a 42-32 edge in rebounding and scored 17 points of 13 Waynesburg turnovers.

The Pioneers will now refocus on Ohio Athletic Conference play as they visit Ohio Northern University Saturday (Dec. 18) for a match-up at 4 p.m.