MARIETTA, Ohio – It wasn't pretty, but the No. 15-ranked Marietta College men's basketball team held off a pesky Muskingum University squad 79-70 Wednesday (Dec. 18) evening in Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers improve to 8-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

Marietta missed its first seven shots of the game and committed an uncharacteristic seven first-half turnovers. Muskingum (3-4 overall, 0-4 OAC) led by as many as 14 points, 30-16, in the opening period.

The Pioneers outscored Muskingum 19-6 over the final 6:30 and trailed by one at halftime, 36-35. The Muskies shot 52% from the floor in the first half, while Marietta recovered from its ice-cold start to shoot 39% in the first 20 minutes of play.

Following a jumper from Muskingum's Clay Owings that tied the game, 53-53, with 11 minutes remaining, Marietta scored the next four points of the game at the charity stripe and never trailed again.

Marietta extended its lead to as many as nine points down the stretch as the Muskies continued to put the Pioneers on the line. Marietta was 18-of-25 at the free throw line in the second half.

Junior Andy Dollman poured in a career-high 20 points to lead all scorers. Four Pioneers finished in double figures including sophomore RaNeal Ewing who tallied a double-double with 18 points and a career-best 12 rebounds.

Junior Garret Stephenson scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds, while fellow classmate Brennan McKean had 10 points. A.J. Davis chipped in with seven points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Dave Brown led the Muskies with 16 points. Logan Kimble recorded 12 points and seven rebounds, while Christian Keller and Cody Seiler each had 11 points. Owings finished with 10 points and seven boards.

Marietta held a decisive edge on the glass outrebounding Muskingum 43-31. Each team committed 12 turnovers in the game.

Marietta shot 42.1 % (24-of-57) from the floor, 31.8% (7-of-22) from three-point range and 77.4% (24-of-31) at the line. Muskingum was 29-of-65 (44.6%) from the floor, 4-of-14 (28.6%) behind the arc and 8-of-13 (61.5%) at the free throw line.

Marietta is off until after Christmas. The Pioneers play Ohio Wesleyan University in the first round of the Defiance College Tournament on Sunday (Dec. 29) at 5:00 p.m.