MARIETTA, Ohio — The No. 8 ranked Marietta College men's basketball team used a big second half to pull away and defeat visiting Otterbein University, 87-62, Wednesday (Dec. 15) in Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers improve to 6-2 overall and 3-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Otterbein slips to 6-2 on the season and 2-1 in the OAC.

Marietta's game at John Carroll University scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled due to COVID-19 protocol issues with the Blue Streaks. Per OAC policy, the Pioneers will be credited with a win in the conference standings, while JCU will be charged with a loss. Officially, the game is a no-contest.

"We played a lot better in the second half. I wasn't happy with our execution in the first half, and we talked about it at halftime," Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. "Mason (Lydic) really sparked us to start the second half. I think out three senior guards are three of the best in the country."

The Pioneers' next game will be in the D3hoops.com Classic in Las Vegas. Marietta plays the University of Chicago on Tuesday (Dec. 28) at 4 p.m. Eastern time. MC will then square off against No. 7 ranked University of Saint Joseph on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Senior Tim Kreeger led a trio of Pioneers in double figures with 17 points. Jason Ellis added 16 points and Mason Lydic finished with 14 points. Addy Black grabbed a game-high nine rebounds and blocked three shots, while Sahmi Willoughby pulled down seven boards.

Dallas Patrick scored 16 points and had six rebounds to lead the Cardinals. Brennan rains chipped in with 14 points. Reid Black added eight points and seven boards.

Lukas Isaly and Lydic each hit a three-pointer to get the game started as the Pioneers jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. Marietta maintained a small lead until Reid Black tied the game at 15 with a layup at the 12:08 mark. Rains hit a jumper on the next possession to give the Cardinals its first lead of the night, 17-15.

Otterbein pushed the lead to as many as six points, 26-20, on a three-pointer from Jake Justice. The Pioneers responded with a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead, 27-26, on a jumper from Ellis with 3:48 left in the first half. MC clung to a one-point lead, 34-33, at halftime.

The Cardinals opened the second half with Patrick making one of two free throws to even the score at 34-34. Marietta then went on a 14-2 run to take control of the game. Lydic sparked the run with back-to-back three-pointers and then three straight turnovers by Otterbein resulted in a pair of baskets by Black and another from Brennan Crawford.

Marietta extended the lead to as many as 28 points before clearing its bench.