UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — Junior Kevin Knab (Lakewood/Lakewood) scored a career-high 31 points and hit a jumper from the top of the key as time expired to help #13 Marietta College defeat host John Carroll University 82-81 Saturday (Feb. 19). [Box Score]

With the two teams already locked into the top two seeds of the upcoming OAC Tournament, the first place Pioneers (22-3, 15-3 OAC) and second place Blue Streaks (17-8, 12-6 OAC) battled each other like heavyweight prize fighters for 40 minutes in front of a packed crowd inside the Tony DeCarlo Center.

The teams almost mirrored each other in the box score. Marietta hit 29-of-58 (50.0%) from the floor, while John Carroll finished 28-of-57 (49.1%). Both squads also knocked down nine three-pointers, collected 33 rebounds and had 11 turnovers.

The difference in the game may have been a simple white headband.

Freshman Tyler Hammond (Cleveland/St. Ignatius), sporting his traditional headband, sent the Pioneers into the intermission with a six-point lead, 47-41, after he nailed a running three-pointer as the horn sounded. Hammond's shot help end a closely contested 20 minutes in which neither team led by more than two possessions.

Midway through the second half, Hammond lent the headband to Knab, who used it to keep his bandages secure after suffering a bloody blow to the head late in the first period. Exactly 20 minutes of clock time after Hammond drained his three-pointer, Knab sent the Pioneers into a frenzy and dashed John Carroll's hopes of a Senior Day victory by hitting a 15-foot, game-winning jumper as time expired. It was the third last-second game-winner produced by the Pioneers this season.

Knab hit all 10 of his field goal attempts while adding 11-of-13 from the free throw line to finish with a game-high and career-best 31 points. Junior Trevor Halter (Malvern/Malvern) connected on four three pointers and added 14 points, while junior Conner Kilpatrick (Bowling Green/Bowling Green) and sophomore Jacob Owens (Mansfield/Mansfield) both scored eight in the win.

Mark Hester paced John Carroll with 22 points. Senior Maurice Haynes finished with 19 points and seven rebounds while Joey Meyer added 13 points in the loss.

Marietta now turns its attention to the OAC Tournament, which begins 7:30 p.m. Tuesday against eighth-seeded Wilmington College at Ban Johnson Arena.

Fans can purchase pre-sale tickets from the Athletics Department secretary's desk from noon-4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Tickets can also be purchased at the gates, which will open at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Up to 1,600 tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

OAC Tournament tickets prices are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $2 for non-OAC students. It is a cash-only event. Only current OAC students and those with OAC Lifetime Passes will be admitted free of charge.