MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College men's basketball team entered uncharted waters Wednesday (Jan. 14) evening with an 80-56 victory over visiting Capital University. The No. 7 ranked Pioneers improved to 14-0 on the season and are off to the best start in program history eclipsing the 13-0 start of the 2010-11 squad.

The Crusaders (4-10 overall, 2-5 OAC) were no match for the Pioneers (7-0 OAC). Capital scored the first two points of the game for its only lead of the night. A three-pointer from Eddy Grenert at the 12:20 mark gave Marietta a 17-7 lead. Capital would trail by double digits the rest of the game.

Senior Garrett Stephenson led the Pioneers with 14 points and eight rebounds. Luis Garcia scored 13 points, while Andy Dollman and A.J. Edwards each tallied 10 points. RaNeal Ewing dished out seven assists to go along with his eight points and seven rebounds.

Capital's Andrew Bolka led all scorers with 19 points and grabbed eight boards. Drew Fecko added 13 points and A.J. Dixon chipped in with 11 points.

Marietta took a 37-21 lead into halftime after shooting nearly 64% from three-point range in the opening period. The Pioneers pushed the margin to 20 points four minutes into the second half and the margin remained over 20 the rest of the way.

Marietta shot 53.4% (31-of-58) from the floor, 48.0% (12-of-25) from three-point range and 66.7% (6-of-9) from the free throw line. Capital was 22-of-67 (32.8%) from the floor, 6-of-24 (25.0%) behind the arc and 6-of-9 (66.7%) at the line.

Capital outrebounded the Pioneers 39-36. The Crusaders committed 10 turnovers, while Marietta turned the ball over just eight times.

Marietta plays at Otterbein University Saturday (Jan. 17) at 7:30 p.m.