TIFFIN, Ohio — Junior Eddy Grenert poured in a career-high 23 points as No. 25-ranked Marietta College defeated Heidelberg University 83-77 Saturday (Dec. 13) afternoon. The win was Marietta's fifth straight on the road. The Pioneers improve to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Heidelberg slips to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the OAC.

Grenert, the current OAC Player of the Week, continued his strong play with his third straight double-double. Grenert finished with a game-best 11 rebounds to go with the 23 points. He was 7-of-8 from the floor, hit three from behind the arc, was a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line and blocked a pair of HU shots.

The first half featured four ties and four lead changes as neither team was able to take control of the game. A pair of free throws from Grenert with 7:00 left in the first half gave the Pioneers their biggest lead of the half, 32-25. Heidelberg scored the final five points of the opening period to make it a one points deficit, 41-40, at the break.

Marietta never trailed in the second half but the Pioneers couldn't shake a feisty Heidelberg team. The Student Princes got within a point twice only to see Marietta score on the ensuing possession.

Freshman Dillon Young appeared to ice the game for the Pioneers with two free throws at the 1:38 mark giving Marietta a nine-point lead, 78-69. Heidelberg refused to go away quietly and scored the next six points to get within three, 78-75, with 56 seconds left.

Once again Grenert answered for the Pioneers. With the shot clock winding down, Grenert stepped outside and drained a three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining to put the game away.

In addition to Grenert's 23 points, fellow post player Garrett Stephenson scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Pioneers. Junior Luis Garcia added 12 points.

Ben Jones led the Student Princes with 16 points and five rebounds, while Marcquice Taylor scored 16 points and had three boards. Kiere Bennie and Cole Williams each chipped in with 10 points.

Once again the Pioneers dominated on the boards. Marietta outrebounded Heidelberg 46-24. The Pioneers committed a season-high 24 turnovers while forcing 11 Student Prince miscues.

For the game, Marietta was 24-of-52 (46.2%) from the floor, 10-of-26 (38.5%) from three-point range and 25-of-30 (83.3%) at the free throw line. Heidelberg shot 42.6% (26-of-61) from the floor, 30.8% (8-of-26) behind the arc and 68.0% (17-of-25) from the line.

Marietta travels to Baldwin Wallace University on Wednesday (Dec. 17) for a 7:30 p.m. contest.