MARIETTA, Ohio – The 10th ranked Marietta College men's basketball team was in action Wednesday (Jan. 23) when they hosted Otterbein University inside Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers were victorious over the Cardinals, 96-67. With the win Marietta improves to 16-2 overall and 10-1 in Ohio Athletic Conference play, while Otterbein falls to 6-12 overall and 3-8 in OAC action.

Kyle Dixon knocked down three-pointer on the opening possession of the game, but the Cardinals responded with a 7-0 run to take an early 7-3 edge. Marietta quickly answered with an 8-0 run of its own that gave the Pioneers a 11-7 margin four minutes into the game. The run was sparked by threes from Dixon and Mel Shuler and capped by a Caleb Hoying layup.

The Cardinals battled back and regained a 23-18 edge with 12 minutes to play in the opening half. Marietta answered with a 12-2 spurt that gave them a 30-25 advantage at the eight minute mark of the opening period. The spurt was capped by Mike Hall as he scored the final five points on the run.

After a timeout, the teams traded buckets and the Pioneers held a 38-32 edge with four minutes to play in the half. Marietta was able to extend its lead to 44-34 at the intermission.

At the half all 11 players for the Pioneers had scored, and Marietta was led by Dixon and Kyle Matoszkia as they each had six first half points.

The Pioneers came out of the locker room ready to play and opened the second half on a 7-0 run. Shuler sparked the run with back to back baskets and Marietta held a 51-34 edge two minutes into the second half.

Otterbein was able to cut into the Pioneer lead with an 8-0 run that trimmed the Marietta margin to 51-42 at the 15:21 mark of the second half. After two minutes of scoreless action a 6-0 run by the Pioneers extended their lead to 57-42. Marietta maintained a double-digit edge and forced a Cardinals timeout with just under nine minutes remaining in the game.

Out of the timeout, the teams traded baskets for five minutes before back to back three-pointers by Jason Ellis put the Pioneers up 82-61 with four minutes to play in the game. Marietta put the game away late as Karson Synder, Austin Rutecki, and Matthew Francesconi all knocked down three-pointers. The Pioneers won the game, 96-67.

Marietta was led by Dixon as he had 17 points, and grabbed four rebounds in the game. Ellis notched 12 points, as he shot 50 percent from behind the arc. Shuler pitched in with 11 points for the Pioneers. Matoszkia added 10 points and snatched 8 rebounds. Mason Lydic grabbed a team and career-high nine rebounds in the game.

Jay Joseph paced the Cardinals with 18 points. Maurice Beavers finished with 12 points, while Austin Springer and Justin Carr had 10 points apiece.

For the game, Marietta shot 47.9% (35-of-73) from the floor, 39.0% (16-of-41) from three-point range and 76.9% (10-of-13) at the free throw line. The Cardinals were 24-of-61 (39.3%) from the floor, 11-of-32 (34.4%) behind the arc and 8-of-10 (80.0%) at the line.

The Pioneers dominated the glass outrebounding Otterbein, 51-26. Each team committed 10 turnovers.

Marietta will return the court Saturday (Jan. 26) when they host John Carroll University with the game set to tip at 3 p.m.