MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College women's basketball team dropped its season opener to visiting Wittenberg University by the score of 79-63 Monday (Nov. 17) evening in Ban Johnson Arena. Wittenberg improves to 2-0 on the season, while the Pioneers fall to 0-1.

Wittenberg won the game at the free throw line. The Tigers sank 29-of-35 (82.9%) at the charity stripe, including 20-of-25 in the second half.

The first half featured seven ties and seven lead changes, as neither team was able to take control of the game. Wittenberg used a 15-6 run in the final minutes to take a six-point lead, 35-29, into halftime.

In the second half, Wittenberg scored the first five points to push its lead into double figures. The Pioneers managed to trim the deficit to four points on a couple of occasions, but could get no closer.

Freshman Brooke Borich led the Pioneers with 13 points. Borich was 5-of-10 from the floor and sank a trio of three-pointers.

Seniors Jessica Brogan and Candice Alexander reached double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Freshman Laura Frazee added nine points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Darbie Zirkle led four Tigers in double figures with a game-high 19 points and eight steals. Ali Miller notched a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Wittenberg won the battle of the boards outrebounding the Pioneers 43-36. Neither team took great care of the basketball as Marietta turned the ball over 22 times, while the Tigers had 20 turnovers.

For the game, Marietta shot 37.9% (22-of-58) from the floor, 26.7% (4-of-15) from three-point range and 65.2% (15-of-23) at the free throw line. Wittenberg finished 23-of-57 (40.4%) from the floor, 4-of-20 (20.0%) behind the arc and 29-of-35 (82.9%) at the line.

Marietta hosts Chatham University on Saturday (Nov. 22) at 2:00 p.m.