MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College hit nine three-pointers in the first half to build a 15-point halftime lead and then held on to defeat Muskingum University by the score of 88-82 Wednesday (Jan. 3) evening in Ban Johnson Arena. The Pioneers have now won 27 straight games against Muskingum and improve to 10-2 on the season and 4-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Muskies fall to 4-8 overall and 0-5 in the OAC.
 
"It was good to see the ball go in the basket tonight. We really shot the ball well from the perimeter tonight," Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. "Give Muskingum credit. They are much improved and played well in the second half. It was nice to start the New Year off with a win."
 
Marietta scored the first 11 points of the game as Cooper Parrott, De'Ovion Price and Frank Waganfeald drained three-pointers. Price also added a jumper in the opening run. Duane Davis finally got the Muskies on the board with a bucket nearly four minutes into the game.
 
Muskingum slowly worked itself back into the game. A three-pointer from Kaelan Pulliam at the 8:58 mark gave the Muskies it's only lead of the night, 24-22. But the Pioneers answered with the next 11 points.
 
After another Pulliam three-pointer, Marietta scored eight straight points pushing the lead to 41-27 with three minutes left in the half. The Pioneers to a 15-point lead, 47-32, into halftime.
 
Marietta maintained its double-digit lead through most of the second half. Jayden Bradshaw hit a three-pointer with 6:29 left in the game extending the margin to 20 points, 79-59. The Muskies finished the game on a 12-2 run to get within six points, 88-82.
 
Sahmi Willoughby recorded a double-double to lead the Pioneers with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Price finished with 13 points, while Jac Alexander and Flood added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
 
Pulliam led all scorers with 16 points. Davis chipped in with 15 points and five rebounds. Owen Emig added 14 points and Reed Coconis finished with 11 points.
 
Marietta travels to Cleveland on Saturday (Jan. 6) for a 2:00 p.m. game at Baldwin Wallace University.