TIFFIN, Ohio — Senior Mallory Hoff (Newport/Frontier) scored a season-best 19 points and Marietta College overcame a slow start to defeat host Heidelberg University 72-56 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) women's basketbal action Saturday (Jan. 8) afternoon at the Seiberling Gymnasium. [Box Score]

The victory improved to the Pioneers's record to 7-6 overall and 3-3 in the league. It is the most wins for a Marietta squad since the 2004-05 edition finished 10-15. The Student Princes fell to 1-12 overall and 0-6 against Conference competition.

With sophomore standout Aleisha Guiler (Lower Salem/Monroe Central) in early foul trouble, Hoff and junior Rachel Jones (Dublin/Coffman) picked up the scoring load in the first half. Hoff scored 10 of her 19 points and Jones added 11 of her 17 points in the first 20 minutes.

Heidelberg came out of the gates strong and built 24-10 advantage over the first 13 minutes of play. Marietta, however, slowly chipped away and compiled a 21-4 run during the rest of the initial period to take a 31-28 lead into the break.

The Student Princes regained a one-possession lead in the opening minute, but a three-point field goal from sophomore Kristeva Rowe (Toledo/Sylvania Southview) gave the Pioneers the advantage for good. Marietta steadily increased its lead throughout the second half and cruised to the 16-point win.

Marietta finished the game shooting 42.9% (21-of-49) overall and 37.5% (6-of-16) from beyond the arc. Heidelberg went 18-of-53 (34.0%) overall and 8-of-22 (36.4%) from long range. The Pioneers out scored the Student Princes 24-12 at the line and out rebounded them 40-31.

Hoff's 19 points came by way of six field goals and seven free throws. She also pulled down a game-best 12 boards to earn her second double-double of the year. Guiler added 11 rebounds to her seven-point effort. Rowe and freshman Paige Lamb (Marietta/Marietta) also scored seven points in the win.

Jenny Miller paced Heidelberg with 19 points. Emily Giel had 13, JOrdan Ickes nine and Chelsey Calhoun eight.

Marietta is back in action Wednesday (Jan. 12) when it visits Capital University for a tip-off at 7:30 p.m.