WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Three Pioneers scored in double figures as Marietta College easily defeated Otterbein University, 98-66, Tuesday (Nov. 13) evening in Ohio Athletic Conference men's basketball action. Marietta improves to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the OAC, while the Cardinals fall to 0-2 and 0-1 in conference play.

"Otterbein came out of the gates fast and played really well to start the game," Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. "Our depth and intensity eventually wore on them and we were able to pull away. I like how hard our guys are playing right now. We are really competing on every possession."

The victory was number 213 for Jon VanderWal as the Pioneers' head coach tying him with Phil Roach for the most in program history. VanderWal, in his twelfth season at Marietta is 213-97 overall. Roach was 213-257 in 19 seasons as head coach.

Marietta used a 17-0 run midway through the first half turning a one-point deficit into a 16-point lead, 38-22, to take control of the game. The Pioneers took a 51-34 advantage into halftime.

MC continued to roll in the second half scoring the first 10 points of the period extending its lead to 27 points, 61-34, just three minutes into the half. Otterbein got no closer than 24 points the rest of the way. A three-pointer from Austin Rutecki in the final minutes gave Marietta its biggest lead of the night, 32 points, at 98-66.

Tim Kreeger led the Pioneers with 14 points. Freshman point guard Lukas Isaly hit a trio of three-pointers and finished with 13 points, while Kyle Dixon added 12 points.

Caleb Hoyng grabbed a game-high nine rebounds to go along with eight points. 13 different Pioneers scored in the game with Christian James chipping in nine points. Mason Lydic finished with eight points, while Mel Shuler and Mike hall each added seven.

Otterbein's Eddie Anders sank five shots from behind the arc and led all scorers with 22 points. Maurice Beavers scored 15 points and Jay Joseph had eight points and seven reounds.

For the game, Marietta was 32-of-70 (45.7%) from the floor, 12-of-35 (34.3%) from three-point range and 22-of-30 (73.3%) at the free throw line. The Cardinals were 21-of-63 (33.3%) from the floor, 9-of-29 (31.0%) from three-point range and 15-of-20 (75.0%) at the line.

The Pioneers forced 18 Otterbein turnovers, while committing just five of their own.

Marietta returns home to host the 48th annual Marietta Shrine Tournament Friday and Saturday (Nov. 16-17). Wesley and St. Vincent play at 6 p.m. on Friday followed by Marietta and La Roche at 8 p.m. The consolation game will tip off at 5 p.m. on Saturday with the championship game at 7 p.m.