MARIETTA, Ohio – The 10th ranked Marietta College men's basketball team hosted Wilmington College inside Ban Johnson Arena on Saturday (Dec. 15). The Pioneers defeated the Quakers, 86-69. With the win Marietta extends its perfect record to 9-0 and 4-0 in Ohio Athletic Conference. Wilmington falls to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the OAC.

"Any time you play Wilmington it's probably not going to be pretty because of how hard they play on defense," Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. "Our guys did a good job of making the right plays and making enough plays to get the win tonight."

The game appeared to be headed for a low scoring defensive battle as the Pioneers held a 10-9 edge at the 13:07 mark of the first half. Marietta used a 7-0 run stretching the lead to 17-9. The MC spurt was triggered by a Mel Shuler layup and capped by a Kyle Dixon three-pointer.

Wilmington responded and cut the Pioneer lead to one, 25-24, with 6:37 remaining in the half. Another 7-0 Marietta run forced a Quaker timeout with just over three minutes left in the half. Mason Lydic scored five of Marietta's seven points during the run. Marietta led 40-31 at the intermission.

The second half opened as a back and forth battle as the teams traded baskets for the opening four minutes of the half. The Pioneers opened up a 50- 39 edge with just over 15 minutes remaining in the game when Shuler and Keith Richardson scored back to back layups forcing a Wilmington timeout.

Out of the break, the Quakers hit a three-pointer, but Marietta responded with a 6-0 run to take a 56-42 edge and force another Wilmington timeout. The run was led by Tim Kreeger as he had four of the six points during the run.

Out of the timeout, the teams traded a basket before the Pioneers rattled off seven straight to take a 65-45 edge with just under 10 minutes to play. The run was capped by a three-pointer from Anthony Wallace.

The Quakers played solid defense to cut into the Marietta advantage, as the Pioneers' lead was 73-60 with six minutes remaining in the game. Wilmington was not able to get any closer than 13 points, and Marietta cleared its bench in the final minutes of the game.

The Pioneers were led by Dixon as he had 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a pair of assists. Wallace also pitched in with 15 points and four rebounds. Richardson added 11 points and three assists.

DaeShawn Jackson scored 15 points to lead four Quakers in double figures. Will Patrick scored 13 points, while Abdul Kanu and Kevin Lewis chipped in with 11 points each. Lewis grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.

For the game, Marietta was 32-of-61 (52.5%) from the floor, 6-of-19 (31.6%) from three-point range and 16-of-23 (69.6%) at the free throw line. Wilmington shot 37.9% (22-of-58) from the floor, 25.9% (7-of-27_ behind the arc and 78.3% (18-of-23) from the line.

The Pioneers edge Wilmington on the glass, 37-33. The Quakers turned the ball over 16 times, while Marietta committed 14 turnovers.

Marietta will return to the hardwood Wednesday (Dec. 19) when they travel to battle OAC rival Muskingum University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in New Concord.