MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College drained 11 three-pointers in the first half and never looked back as the Pioneers defeated Mount Aloysius College, 118-72, Saturday (Nov. 9) in the season opener for both schools.
"Tonight was a good start to the season. We shot the ball well and we were able to get a lot of guys minutes," Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said. "Obviously, we have plenty of things to work on, but tonight was a good opening effort."
Danny Flood came off the bench to lead the first half scoring barrage for the Pioneers. Flood nailed five three-pointers as Marietta poured in 61 points before halftime. Back-to-back triples from Flood gave Marietta its first double digit lead of the game, 20-10, with 12:44 left in the first half.
The Mounties cut the deficit to nine when De'Von Haggans converted one of two free throws. But Marietta answered with a 12-2 run pushing the margin to 19 points, 32-13, four minutes later. Three-pointers from Jayden Bradshaw and De'Ovion Price capped the Pioneer run.
Flood made it a 30-point Marietta lead with his final two three-pointers of the half. A layup from Landry Palata in the final minute of the half gave Marietta a 61-31 lead at halftime.
Marietta steadily added to its lead throughout the second half. Even after the Pioneers cleared the bench, the margin continued to grow ballooning to as many as 50 points, 118-68, on a three-pointer from Sawyer Thompson. All told, 16 different Pioneers scored in the game.
Frank Waganfeald led all players with 19 points and eight rebounds. Waganfeald was 8-for-10 from the field and dished out seven assists. Bradshaw and Flood both finished with 17 points, while Jack Main added 11 points and seven dimes.
Haggans led Mount Aloysius with 13 points. Will Hagwood had 10 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. Troy Tinch and BJ Busbee each chipped in with 10 points.
Marietta is back in action next weekend when the Pioneers host the annual Marietta Shrine Tournament on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 15-16). Maryville plays Mary Washington at 6:00 p.m. on Friday followed by Marietta versus Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 8:00 p.m. The consolation game is set for 5:00 p.m. Saturday and the Championship game will tip at 7:00 p.m.