NEW CONCORD, Ohio — No. 8 Marietta College led wire to wire as the Pioneers defeated Muskingum University by the score of 92-72 Wednesday (Jan. 5) evening in Ohio Athletic Conference men's basketball. The win was Marietta's 23rd straight against the Muskies.
Marietta has won seven straight games and improves to 9-2 overall and 5-0 in the OAC. Muskingum falls to 3-9 on the season and 0-5 in conference games.
"I'm really proud of Coach Sales, Kenney, and Thornhill for really stepping up the past few days and making sure we were ready for tonight," Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. "Our players stepped up their leadership the past couple of days as well and ultimately I think we've grown through the process. It's never easy to be shorthanded and then win on your rivals home floor."
Three-pointers from Addy Black and Lukas Isaly helped the Pioneers jump out to a quick 12-5 lead in the opening minutes of the game. The Marietta lead hovered around 10 points until an 8-0 run pushed the margin to 17 points, 37-20, with 5:56 left in the first half. Isaly scored six of the eight points with three free throws and another three-pointer.
Ryan Reidy hit a triple with 22 seconds left to give Marietta its biggest lead of the first half, 51-33. But Muskingum's DJ Donnell drained a three-pointer as time ran out cutting the lead to 15 points, 51-36, at halftime.
Jason Ellis scored six straight points early in the second half pushing the margin back to 19 points, 63-44. Muskingum would rally and cut the deficit to 11 points, 71-60, with just under seven minutes left on the clock.
Once again, the Pioneers answered with an 8-0 run to put the game out of reach. Kreeger scored the first four points of the run and Ellis notched the final four points to make it 79-60 with 5:39 left in the game.
Ellis led all scorers with 26 points. He added seven assists and four steals in the game. Kreeger finished with 20 points and eight rebounds. Isaly chipped in with 11 points, while Black added nine points.
Alex Masinelli led the Muskies with 17 points and seven rebounds. Donnell and Tanner Gensler each scored 14 points. Donnell had four assists, while Gensler grabbed seven rebounds.
Marietta returns home to host Wilmington College on Saturday (Jan. 8). Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. in Ban Johnson Arena.